So Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25

So Esau despised his birthright. v34

We are often unsatisfied with our circumstances - left grumbling and complaining.  Yet we often fail to see what God is doing in our lives during these circumstances.  We should not grumble and complain - we should trust in what God has in store for 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

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

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God - full of love and patience for me.  Thank You Jesus.  This is true even though I fail to have patience for 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 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. 

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.

And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord.

Numbers 16:1-50

And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. Numbers 16:28

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 16:1-50 - we see God's harsh and deadly rebuke of those who rebel against God's appointed leaders.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God's name, the LORD, appears more than 25 times in this chapter.  God listens to Moses, His appointed servant and leader over the people (v15).  God spoke to Moses and prepared (vv20, 23-24) him and the rest of the people to separate from from Korah's rebellion (250 leaders among men per v2) as they will be consumed (punished).  In vv31-35, God caused the earth to swallow up the households of the rebellious men, and consume the rebellious men with fire.  In vv36-40, God instructed Moses to use the metal from the censers carrying incense and fire as a covering for the tabernacle altar as a reminder to avoid the sin and punishment that befell Korah and the other rebellious leaders.  In response to the people's grumbling against Moses and Aaron (v41), the glory of the LORD appeared and He spoke to Moses (v44) to prepare himself for the punishment of those rebelling against His appointed leaders.  The LORD then caused a plague that killed 14,700 among the people.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We know that Moses and Aaron are God's appointed leaders over the people - yes, they are not perfect as only God is.  We've also learned from Numbers 12 that Moses is a very humble man (Numbers 12:3) and God sees him as "faithful in all my house" (Numbers 12:7).  Korah and his rebellion falsely accused Moses of "exalting" themselves above the assembly of the LORD (vv3, 13), and of killing the people of the LORD (v41).  They also held Moses and Aaron responsible for their suffering in the wilderness (vv13-14) - another false accusation.  Among other sin (grumbling and complaining about God), this rebellion was guilty of breaking the ninth commandment not to bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).  Moses demonstrates His humility in v28. 
• 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 against God or His appointed servants (leaders in your church); similarly, we should also avoid bearing false witness.  Claim the promise God works in all things for good and that our circumstances - including difficult circumstances - are for good.  Follow the example of Moses who humbly submitted to the Lord's will and His guidance.  Love God and support/pray for the leaders appointed over you.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and has given me incredible Godly pastors that lead and serve me well in my journey with God  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and 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 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.

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.

The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?”

Numbers 16-18

 The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?” Numbers 17:12-13

Day 39 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 an insurrection from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and 250 men from among the Israelite community leaders (council).  The grumbling and complaining extends to a large pocket of the Israelites (14,700 of them).  God pours out His wrath on Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (including all of the 250 associated men), as well as on the 14,700 Israelites.

Yes, God is slow to anger and abounding in love, but we should not put the Lord Your God to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16) by constantly grumbling and complaining, and by questioning who is put above us in positions of leadership.  God is in control and we need to view our circumstances through His eyes and fear Him.  We should also be aware that God's patience is not unlimited. The Israelites react in fear after seeing God's wrath and this is a good thing because such fear acts as preservative drawing us near to Him and keeping us from sinning.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is slow to anger and abounding in love - I have felt this compassion and mercy in my life time and time again and I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me and help me 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 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. 

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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.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

I pause my study of 1 Corinthians to study DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys Daily devotional, which today, looks at how to repent.  When we sin, and are aware of our sins specifically, we inevitably feel shame, remorse and as John Piper describes, "crummy" or "rotten."  Piper shares how "[a] vague, bad feeling that you are a crummy person is not the same as conviction for sin. Feeling rotten is not the same as repentance."  Instead, Piper encourages us to specifically "call to mind the commands [we] frequently break."  For himself, he lists several, including:

• "Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Be as eager for things to go well for him as you are for things to go well for you. (see Matthew 22:39)"
• "Do all things without grumbling. No grumbling — inside or outside. (Philippians 2:14)"
• "Only say things that give grace to others — especially those closest to you. (Ephesians 4:29)"
• "Redeem the time. Don’t fritter away the minutes, or dawdle. (Ephesians 5:16)"

Piper presses in how being specific are out in the open and not hidden - we confront them.  Piper gets angry at his sin and he wants to kill the sin - not himself - his sin.  Piper then offers us encouragement when we take on such battles, even when we know they are uncomfortable.  He rests in 1 John 1:9 and how Christ forgives and cleanses - we must confess, however, specifically.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good as I know You forgive and cleanse sin - thank You Jesus for helping me with my daily battle against sin.  The list is long and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my many sins, including how I often fritter away the minutes...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.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. v8-10

As I posted yesterday, Peter wants us to do good and to be a light.  This message is reinforced in 1 Peter 4 with additional instructions to love others...above all.

John Piper helps us understand 1 Peter 4:8 in particular by pointing out that in the context of the end times, we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ deeply as during times of stress and when faith is threatened - love strengthens faith.

I must do more to love my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You never cease to act and love on my behalf.  I know You will never leave or forsake me and You love me when it feels as if those in the world do not.  You never let me down.  Thank You Jesus for always loving me.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations.

Numbers 15:1-21

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations. Numbers 15:18-21

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:1-21 - while Israel remains in the wilderness, God gives Moses and the people laws for sacrifices that they are to make upon entry to the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks a relationship with Him and one of complete dependence on Him, recognizing that all that we have is because of Him and not of our own effort - see James 1:16.  Read along with Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the text focuses on how the people are to remember, celebrate, and be thankful for how God rescued the people from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land.  God heard Israel's cries, responded and delivered them.  Of course, we should daily be thankful for God, who He is, what He has done, how He provides, and how He saves!  God is good!  Our response should be joyful and we should give as the text directs the people to do - and we are to give freely as a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people up to this point have been grumbling and complaining and now God is turning their attention to a promise He made and how He is going to be faithful and bring them into the Promised Land.  We need constant reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - otherwise, we are prone to wander, grumble and complain as Israel did.  God gives us His Word as His Daily Bread and we are to consume it!
• 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.  Claim the promise that God delivers us and He is saving a place for us in Heaven - whatever we are experiencing is temporary and God is good....all the time.  Follow the example of those who responded joyfully upon entering the Promised Land and gave cheerfully.  Consume God's Daily Bread!   

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 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 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.

You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?

 Numbers 11:16-30

You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt? Numbers 11:19-20

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 11:16-30 - we see God providing Moses elders to assist him in managing and caring for the people.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: We see an early indication of elders as a position within church hierarchy - vv16, 25. For more on elders in the church, see this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com.  Church hierarchy is such that a formal pastor (vs lay elder or deacon) cannot do everything and it indeed can be overwhelming - but just as in vv16, 25 God is good and knows that the church needs many people for it operate effectively and the elders/deacons are examples. Yet, more prominent in the text today is how God sought punishment for Israel for its grumbling and complaining.  This is an example of how God both merciful and just at the same time - just because He forgives does not mean there are no consequences.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Moses doubts God's ability to feed all of Israel and God sets him straight with a terse response - v23.  We should not doubt God's ability to fulfill His promises - 2 Corinthians 1:20.  In the text today, we also see examples of envy (vv26-29) - Moses dealt with this well by refusing to play into this pettiness.  
• 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, complaining, and envy.  Claim the promise that God hears all, responds to our cries, forgives, but is also just.  Follow the example of Moses who leads but is not jealous for himself.  Go to the Lord with your cares and concerns. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, provides, forgives, etc. 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 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 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 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 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Philippians 2

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 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. v14-16

As a follow up to my post yesterday where I emphasized that we exist to glorify God, Paul is making a similar plea in today's verses.  His plea today is that we not grumble and complain...it is qualified with a reason why..."then you shine among them"....

Bottom line just as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:31 "[s]o whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".  Whether we are parents, in the workplace, in our neighborhood, etc.  others are watching You and God wants us to be His ambassadors.  We are to be a light.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done and continues to do so much both in me and for me - thank You Jesus for all of the love and compassion You pour out on me.  I am not deserving.  I sin...in countless ways I cannot full grasp....this I know.  Please forrgive 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 whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  v10

James uses favoritism of the rich vs the poor as an example of favoritism of people but he also mentions favoritism or "cherry-picking" of the Bible as another form of favoritism.  Neither is appropriate and he also lays out the consequences - we become "guilty of breaking all of it"...a serious matter indeed and judgement awaits.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God indeed and You see us as pure, holy and blameless in Your sight - You have such mercy for us!  Thank You Jesus.  You bless me also...beyond what I deserve.  I need You desperately in my life because I am broken...full of sin.  Help me Jesus.  Please forgive me for my grumbling and complaining...I know I need to be content in my circumstances yet I am often not.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love (and see) others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me lead and serve Lisa Zach and Dustin.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort and freedom from pain.  Please heal her of this cancer.  Praise You for how You have shrunk this tumor and started to give Lisa some strength back.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. v8

 
As a follow up to my post yesterday, Peter is writing us to be ready for when Jesus returns, not just for ourselves, but for others so that they can see Jesus in us and be attracted to Him and be snatched from the fire (Jude 1:23).

Peter expands in verses 9-11.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. v9-11

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God full of love and mercy for me.  I know this because You pursued me even though I am broken and I sin.  You restored me and reconciled me to You.  You give me life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such effort as I continue in my sin...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and help me love others as You do.  God give me strength to be who You intend me to be and so that I can please and glorify You.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength to be who You intend us to be as parents.  Help me be the husband and spiritual leader You intend me to be.  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 Savior.  Help me serve You, my church, my family, 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. 

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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 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 also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:8-9

I continue a pause of 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.  Yesterday, I reviewed James 5:7-11 and documented my thoughts based on an unassisted review (no commentary).  This morning, I lean on commentary provided by the Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for this book. 

Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The theme of this part of the letter is clear: patience is mentioned twice in verse 7 and once each in verses 8 and 10 while the words “endured” and “endurance” are used in verse 11. James gives us three pictures of patience to encourage us."
• The three pictures of patience described in the commentary (and in the text) include (1) "like a farmer: waiting for the harvest," trusting in God in circumstances we cannot control - like the weather - to provide just the right balance of weather needed for a harvest, understanding that too much, too little rain, too much heat, or too much cold could have deleterious effects on the harvest, and "honoring God with what you can control" avoiding grumbling and complaining as an example from v9; (2) "be patient like a prophet: speaking the truth.  Much like the farmer, the prophet reminds us that patience does not necessarily mean inactivity. A farmer doesn’t just sit back waiting for the rain: he works. Likewise, a prophet in the middle of persecution stood boldly and spoke out against injustice. In the middle of hardship, we are to speak about the goodness, the greatness, the judgment, and the mercy of God. Times of suffering are often the most golden opportunity to speak a word for the glory of God;" and (3) "like Job: hoping in God’s purpose.... Remember that it took 42 chapters for the purpose of suffering in Job’s life to be revealed, and only at the end did he confess, “I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This is a good reminder for us: Whatever you are walking through is not the end of the story. The end will reveal that the Lord is indeed “very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). You can’t see it, but be patient, hoping in God’s purpose."

Jesus wants us to be completely dependent on Him, and scripture makes it clear that obedience to Him can ONLY be through Him.  For example, Jesus sets what appears to be an impossibly high bar for how to love - love one another as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  Here, in James, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit (through James) seeks for us to be as patient as Job - once again an incredibly high bar but we must remember that it is not through our own efforts that we love as Jesus loves or be patient as Job is patient, but through loving, trusting and surrendering our lives to Jesus, allowing Him to mold us into more of His image. #Sanctification.

 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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. 

The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

Numbers 10-11

   The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. Numbers 10:34

Day 37 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 setting out from camp after the tabernacle was constructed and all tabernacle duties were assigned.  God directs the patch of the Israelites via a cloud that appears over them and the tabernacle.  A recurring them of grumbling reoccurs and Moses pleads with the Lord to help him as his task of leading the Israelites has become emotionally draining.

My focus this morning is on how God directs our steps.

My commentary* indicates the following: "[t]he people have been numbered and their duties have been assigned, so God now gives the Israelites their marching orders. Moses asks a relative named Hobab to be a guide for the Israelites, and Hobab apparently agrees to do so. But the real guide is God himself, manifested in the movement of the cloud of his presence over the ark and tabernacle".

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

John Piper, in response to a question whether God directs all the details or our lives, posits that God is in control of all aspects of our lives, Piper also weighs in on free will - see my posts on these topics.

We have a God that is always with this, directing our steps - and we know He loves us.

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

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Ephesians 6

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. v5-8

This is a tough one because I often grumble (at least to myself) that I don't like my job, etc. and this is a sin...not only for grumbling but also because I am not working for my earthly masters as if I was serving the Lord!  Jesus...forgive me! 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You serve wholeheartedly...and You are always working for my good.  I am not worth such efforts.  I am weak and I am selfish...and I grumble about my job.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for these sins and help me turn towards You instead!  Help me love and serve You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me serve my earthly masters in the same way.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please cure and heal 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.