Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 7

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. v26-27

In describing Christ as a high priest, the author of Hebrews gives a great summary of some of the key attributes of our Lord and Savior.  More than anything, I am struck by how Jesus "truly meets our need".  Truly is defined as "with exactness of construction or operation" - in essence our need is met perfectly and only by God (see John Piper post here).  Note how the author uses the word need in the singular - implying that salvation is our greatest need above all (see also a Biblical worldview of Maslow's hierarchy of needs discussed here).  

While believers can acknowledge that we all sin and need a Savior (and that Jesus is that Savior) it is nonetheless important to examine our priorities and to remind ourselves of the primacy of our relationship with Jesus.

Jesus meets our need.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a a great God who meets my need - You do this solely and perfectly - thank You Jesus! I need You daily.  Yet I am undeserving of how You feed and sustain me.  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.

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 7

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. v26

We often may think about our earthly pastors or those within our church and whether our needs are met for sermons that inspire or brothers and sisters in Christ who are able to encourage and support us - yet our focus should be on Jesus - He is the one who truly meets our needs!

See also:
John 4
Matthew 6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You provide for all of my needs - spiritual, physical, etc.  All I need is You - yet I often seek other sources of provision.  I am weak.  I know You love me knowing everything about me including my sin.  I am deeply grateful for this but undeserving of such love.  Please forgive me for being distracted.  I do want to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me seek only You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa, comfort, strength and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Hebrews 6:13-10:18

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Hebrews 7:26-27

Day 358 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - today I continue with the book of Hebrews. Today's scripture reading has the author describing Christ as a perfect priest, and the superiority of Christ's covenant and sacrifice. 

As I posted yesterday, we have a God and a Great High Priest who can empathize with us and He is approachable - He wants a relationship with us.  Today's scripture includes verses that strengthen and re-emphasize these points by highlighting how God meets our needs.   This post from DesiringGod.com provides additional commentary using these verses from Hebrews and other scriptures.  

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

 

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always near to me, always available to me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of a God who loves me as You do.  I often neglect my relationship with You or fail to place You as a priority in my life - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 7

Oh how I find myself stressed out about work - how weak am I and how unfaithful am I to misplace my hope and rest in earthly matters.  Lord forgive me!

I read here how You truly meet our needs and how right this is:

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Without you we are both slaves to sin and slaves to the fear of death; with you we have the eternal hope of our sins getting washed away and eternal life in Heaven with You.  And as part of this great package we ALSO get God's rest, the rest one can find by "fixing" our eyes on Jesus.  THIS  does truly meet MY needs that's for sure.

This then becomes a matter whereby we must have patience, fix our eyes on Jesus, and to grow in Christ.

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE perfect, and You DO truly meet ALL our needs.  Yet  I place hope in jobs, and in earthly matters.  Please forgive me Lord and help me place all of my hope in You.

So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him.

Genesis 42-44

So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. Genesis 42:3-4

I pause my study of Ecclesiastes to focus on Joseph, in particular Genesis 42-44, and I lean on the Christ-Centered Exposition Series volume for this book. The life of Joseph is well studied and likely most Christians are very familiar with Joseph's story - yet as with all scripture there is always more for God to teach us on our journey of sanctification as He molds us into more of His image.  Joseph's biblical story starts in Genesis 37 where, although he was the most favored of his father Jacob's sons, he was hated by his brothers who sold him into slavery.  Ultimately, Joseph lands in Egypt where he serves Potiphar and Pharaoh. Despite his captivity, Joseph serves his masters well and is given increasing responsibility, leading up to Genesis 41 where Joseph becomes the second most powerful official - below only Pharaoh - in Egypt.  Key to Joseph's rise is his God-given ability to interpret dreams, and he interprets Pharaoh's dreams where he sees a coming famine in the land and is able to help Egypt prepare for this famine.  Due to Joseph's planning, Egypt not only has enough food for itself but has enough to sell to neighboring lands and this is where Genesis 42 picks up as Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain.  The commentary chapter for Genesis 42-44 is A Party, a Cup, and a Substitute. The main idea of this chapter of the commentary shares: "[t]he work of God in Joseph’s life has led to Joseph’s ability to provide food for his family to deliver them from the famine, leading to their eventual migration to Egypt. This section concludes with the first instance in the Bible of a person offering himself as a substitute for another. Judah’s actions set a pattern that will culminate in the substitutionary death of Jesus."  Three divisions are shared, each broken down with sub-divisions: 

• Joseph Meets His Brothers’ Need (42). 
• Joseph’s brothers and Jacob’s plan (42:1-4) 
• Joseph’s brothers and Joseph’s accusation (42:5-26) 
• Joseph’s brothers and Jacob’s despair (42:27-38) 
• Joseph Shows His Brothers Kindness (43). 
• The brothers return to Egypt (43:1-15). 
• The brothers enjoy Joseph’s favor (43:16-34). 
• Joseph Tests His Brothers’ Love (44). 
• Joseph tests his brothers (44:1-13). 
• Judah pleads for his brother (44:14-34).

My focus this morning is on the first division/sub-division or Genesis 42:1-4. Here the commentary provides important points for us to recognize before we dive into the text in more detail.  The commentary shares: "[Joseph's] brothers unwittingly seek help from the one they previously harmed. Whereas the brothers’ disgust sent Joseph to Egypt in the first place, desperation reunites them with him there. And almost as soon as he sees them, Joseph begins testing his brothers, uncovering much about their character and maturity. More importantly, this story gives Christians a means for better grasping the breadth of God’s goodness, the depth of our sinfulness, and our need for reconciliation. It also spotlights one of the most important concepts in God’s covenantal plans—redemption through substitution."  

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

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2

Stop trusting in mere humans,
    who have but a breath in their nostrils.
    Why hold them in esteem? v22

I cling to many earthly matters - money, things, job, people, etc.  I place too much trust in these matters.

I have Jesus Christ, my Lord:

²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE holy, blameless, and pure...and SO much more.  You are the source of ALL blessings and I am a recipient of many of Your blessings.  Yet I am undeserved...I neglect You and I don't always turn to You as I should.  Please forgive me Lord Jesus and help me strengthen my faith.

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”

Mark 10:46-52

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Mark 10:49-51

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:46-52.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv49-51):

• The title of the first division per the commentary is "We Should Never Be So Busy We Cannot Stop and Help."
• "Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem—on the way to die. He is determined to fulfill His destiny. His mind must be racing; His heart is filled to overflowing with sorrow for what awaits Him. We could certainly understand if He just moved on this one time without stopping to help a poor blind man."  
• Regardless of all that was likely to be on Jesus' mind, He stopped and helped Bartimaeus. 
• "Jesus has heard his cry, and He will stop and meet this man at his point of need, his greatest need!"  
• "It is one thing to hear. It is another thing to listen. Some of us are good at neither! Some of us are good at hearing but not listening. Our Lord Jesus is great at both! Jesus then asked Bartimaeus a straightforward question, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' (10:51). This is the same question He has just asked James and John in verse 36. They asked for the best seats in the kingdom. Bartimaeus, in radical and stark contrast, has a much more humble request: 'I want to see!'"  
• The commentary refers to another scholar on Mark (James Edwards), who shares that "[t]he Sons of Thunder asked for extraordinary glory, Bartimaeus asked only for ordinary health.”  
• We are referred to additional text where the Word shares how Jesus hears and responds to our cries and prayers: Psalm 17:6, 54:2, 71:2, James 5:16.

Life feels crazy and hectic but we must rest from the daily hustle and bustle of life to most importantly make time for God but also to make time for the needs we see - they are everywhere!  Also, God seeks from us the same humble and desperate faith as Bartimaeus.  We all sin and need a savior.  We all have physical, emotional, and spiritual needs - as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus meets them all and He saves!  We must go to Jesus daily and cry out have mercy on me and help my unbelief!  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that holds the entire universe in Your Hands and despite Your lofty position sitting at the right hand of God, You reached down to the pit while I was still sinning, hostile and an enemy to You, You saved me and made me part of Your family and kingdom.  Thank You Jesus for having mercy on me and for pouring out these mercies daily in an inexhaustible supply!  I am not deserving...my sin continues and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

Mark 6:30-44

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” Mark 6:37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:30-44.  Excerpts from the commentary for the second (of three) division (vv33-37):

• The title of the second division per the commentary: "Like Jesus We Should Have Compassion for Others."
• The commentary emphasizes how Jesus sought to minister to all of a person's needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  Jesus does this as the Shepherd Savior.  We are referred to text in Psalm 23, Luke 15:4-6, John 10:11, 1 Peter 5:4, Hebrews 13:30 and Revelation 7:17 where Jesus is described as the Great or Chief Shepherd.
• "We desperately need a shepherd, One who is compassionate and able to provide for us and protect us. We need a Shepherd Savior."  
• The text describes how Jesus (1) had compassion on the crowd (2) saw them as "sheep without a shepherd;" and (3) in need of direction and guidance (1 Peter 5:2).  
• We too are lost without Jesus - all are lost without Jesus - we are referred to John 10:12-13, Ezekiel 34:1-24, Numbers 27:17 where Israel is depicted as "lost, helpless, without guidance, malnourished, and lacking protection - their leaders were mere 'hirelings.'"  
• Numbers 27:17 is emphasized for how "God raised up Joshua in anticipation of the greater Joshua named Jesus" and how Ezekiel describes how Jesus is the greater David.    
• Jesus meets all our needs: physical needs, emotional, and spiritual. 
• Ultimately, we are to care for others as Jesus cares.  See Matthew 25:31-46. 
• "God wants us to have compassion on those in need, and He wants us involved in their lives meeting both spiritual and physical needs. We indeed minister to the whole person. That’s what Jesus did."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 Jeremiah 10-12

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Day 209 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Jeremiah. Jeremiah persists in warning Judah about her wicked ways, this morning primarily focusing on idolatry. My commentary* describes God's message through Jeremiah as one where idols fashioned by man are no match for the One True God:

No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. Jeremiah 10:6-7

But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. Jeremiah 10:10

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

My commentary* goes on to describe how Jeremiah warns Judah of Babylonian captivity and how God is both angry and saddened by Judah's wickedness and inability to keep its covenant made between Israel and God:

The Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: ‘Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow them. From the time I brought your ancestors up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, “Obey me.” But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.’” Jeremiah 11:6-8

Jeremiah does what God asks, but this message falls on deaf ears as Judah plots against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:18-19).  Jeremiah himself becomes angry at God yet God meets Jeremiah right where he is - in his anger - and shares a glimpse of His plans for Judah - to restore her.

But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. Jeremiah 12:15-16

God wants a RELATIONSHIP with us. This means we spend time with Him...we question Him, we pour out our deepest concerns and worries with Him.  He wants us to DEPEND on Him.  He hears all of our cries, knows our circumstances, and He responds to us with love and compassion.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who wants a relationship with us - You know everything about us and You are always with us - we simply need to surrender our lives to You and come to You - to depend on You...the One True God.  Thank You Jesus for adopting me into Your family.  I am not deserving of Your 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.

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.

 John 5:1-9

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me. John 5:5-7

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 5:1-9 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus demonstrates that He has compassion and He is all knowing - omniscient.  He saw the man who had been lying near the pool who had been "invalid for thirty-eight years" (vv5-6).  Jesus sees the pain, the challenges, the suffering, etc. that we experience and He meets us in our of need.  He knows that the man "had already been there a long time." Jesus asks the man whether he wants to be healed and then gives the man two commands (1) to take his bed, and (2) to walk.  The command to take his bed is intentional to begin stirring up Jewish leadership - stay tuned on this. Jesus then heals the man.  At times Jesus' response to pain, challenges, and suffering is to take away these things, and other times it is to equip us to endure so that others can see Jesus working in us.  See also 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul shares how he asked God to remove the thorn in his side, but God's response challenged Paul to see how "[God's] grace is sufficient for [him], for [God's] power is made perfect in weakness."  Paul is reminded that the thorn in his side served to "keep [him] from becoming conceited."  God has a plan - sometimes we don't like the plan, but it is perfect.    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?:  The text first describes the man as an invalid (v5) then as sick (v7).  None of God's creation is invalid - all of His creation serves a role and His purpose. We also see others who may not see the least of these (Matthew 25:40) to help them or push their way in front of them (v7).  The man is no longer invalid but instead now he is sick and somehow worthy of healing vs being simply "invalid".  The man believes that stirred water in the pool will heal him yet finds out that Jesus healed him with his words.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not ever view someone as invalid - all are God's creation and perfect. Claim the promise that God sees all and responds to our cries.  Follow Paul's example to see how God's grace is sufficient.  Help those who need it - the least of these. 

Comment and discuss this post

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

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I continue a pause of my study of Zechariah and 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.  Today, my preparation to lead Sunday school at my church, where our class is doing a study on prayer based on the book by A Praying Life, moves along.  I pick up today in chapter 5 - Spending Time with Your Father.  Here, the book starts by exploring why Jesus prayed in the morning - alone.  It shares three clues:

1. Jesus cannot do anything without His Heavenly Father.  We are referred to John 5:19, 30, 8:28, and 12:49; apart from Jesus, we can do nothing - John 15:5. 
2. Time alone with someone is an expression of love - when Jesus ministered to people in His ministry, He focused on just them and this is how we are to pray - alone with Him. 
3. We need to get away from others to focus - see Matthew 6:6.

Next, the book shares how any relationship - and all believers should strive to build a daily, lifelong, relationship with Jesus - requires time with that person. 

Prayer in the morning - while not required vs other times of the day - is supported in scripture via Psalm 5:3,59:16, 88:13, and 143:8. 

Chapter 5 ends with a discussion on overcoming objections to spending time in prayer - such as busyness, and an encouragement to take baby steps in our prayer life. 

Chapter 6 - Learning to be Helpless - emphasizes how prayer is a demonstration of how we are helpless without God and God wants us to come to Him - see Matthew 11:28. Jesus lives to help us - the book gives us just a few of the many examples in scripture where Jesus meets people in their need.  We must acknowledge first that without God we would be nothing and can do nothing and similarly if we are not praying it is an acknowledgement that we think we can do this alone without God - how arrogant!

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.

Job 1-42

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. Job 38:1

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This afternoon, I continue with the story of "Job: God's Presence in the Storm*".

*Title of lesson two from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day two of my study of Job starts by having me focus on the motivation of Job to find himself righteous in his discourse from Job 26-31.  See Job 32:1 where it says (just prior to when Elihu finishes speaking to Job at the end of Job 37):

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Job 32:1

My study guide asks me to review Psalm 22:1 where David says:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1

Arrogance and pride lead to such thoughts of righteous in one's own eyes and for one to think that God has forsaken him/her. I know these thoughts as I have struggled with such thoughts (and acted on them) significantly in my life and I have posted frequently on them here with this blog.  

I am then led to Job 38:1 where Max Lucado seeks to have us look deeply at how God speaks to Job "out of the storm".  I am drawn to an image where I see God WITH Job (and any of us in a storm) in the storm. We need to recognize how God IS with us during the storms in our life. 

Lucado encourages us to remember three key points:

1. "An encounter with God-whether or not it is as dramatic as Job's encounter-will forever change our outlook on life."
2. "God allows us to pour out our concerns questions, and emotions to him, and then extends [H]is mercy to us."
3. "Just as God spoke out of the storm and into the storm of Job's life, [H]e meets us where we are in whatever situation we are facing."

 I have been in storms many times in my life and looking back I can see how God was with me each time.  I pray that God give me the wisdom and strength to see Him in whatever future storms I might face.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is always with me - thank You Jesus.  Thank You for calming the storms and seeing me through EVERY time!  I am not deserving of such love.  I am selfish and I worry among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strnegth.  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. 

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Leviticus 9

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:6-8

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - moving on to chapter nine - Powerful Worship - covering Leviticus 9:1-24, looking specifically at the theme - Powerful Worship Includes Submission to God's Word. Here, the commentary examines the broad brush of how God commanded Moses and the Israelites regarding the details of worship.  In the inaugural worship (described as powerful per my post yesterday), "God's people in worship submitted to what God had said regarding worship." The implication is clear: while the ceremonial law, including the Old Testament sacrificial system, no longer applies, God still seeks an appropriate worship from believers, as our worship reflects how we submit to God's Word, and it is how we relate to God.  The commentary notes "three ways worship relates to submission of God's Word":

1. "We Submit to God's Word by the Act of Worship": throughout scripture (see Psalm 96:8-9, John 4:23, Matthew 6:10, and Revelation 4:8 as examples) God commands us to worship.  The commentary exhorts believers to see how we must attend church weekly as "[n]othing is clearer, more fundamental, and more imperative in God's Word than God's people gathering to give worship and praise to God.  We submit to God's Word by the act of the worship."
2.  "We Submit to God's Word by the Way We Worship": We are to sing praise to Him; we are to be contrite - so humility and confession are important; we are to pray; we offer gifts and tithes; and we read and examine scripture. "God's Word does not tell us to critique what others do in worship, but to worship.  We are not spectators, we are participants.  The almighty, holy, sovereign God meets with us in worship.  He has told us to gather to worship Him, and He has told us what to do in worship."
3. "We Submit to God's Word by a Life of Worship": God does not need animal sacrifices as described in Leviticus, and He does not want empty rituals  - He wants our heart. We are encouraged to fully submit to God in all areas of our life.  We are encouraged to follow Micah's words (Micah 6:6-8).  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided amazing churches for me to experience powerful worship.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me in this way, or in any way.  I am full of anger and harsh words.  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.

[A]ll the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

 Mark 1:1-8

[A]ll the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Mark 1:5

This morning, based on the recommendation of the author of my previous study of The Character of Jesus, I commence a study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  I start with an unassisted review of Mark 1:1-8.

• The first thing I notice about the text is how Mark immediately goes to the Old Testament (see Isaiah 40:3) in vv2-3, reinforcing how we are to read the entirety of the Bible - not just the New Testament, and we should dive into our study of those books we may believe are more challenging, such as Leviticus.  See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
• An expanded view of Isaiah (see Isaiah 40:4-5) reveals God's intention with Jesus that, unlike God who was on top of the mountain (Mt Sinai) and only available to Moses or later to the high priests in the inner most section of the tabernacle, He would walk and be among His people and be more accessible (straight paths).    
• Next, I notice how John is in the wilderness, perhaps giving hope to those who are in spiritual wilderness or desert, hungry, thirsty, and desperate for God - the promised Messiah.  The Israelites also wandered in the wilderness/desert for 40 years before entering the Promised Land.
• Baptism in vv4-5 is described early in the Gospel and it triggers explanation of why a baptism is needed and a quick search of DesiringGod.com reminds me of how water is used in the Old Testament for ritual washing away of sin and how immersion and a rise from the water represents death and then a new life. 
• John appears as someone who lives off the grid and as less refined. Perhaps this is how many lived during this time, but still people from "all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him" as they were drawn to the message and again it is striking that people would go into the wilderness and find something of value - the Good News.  I am reminded how the Israelites also encountered God in the wilderness (parting of Red Sea, water from rock, manna from Heaven, Ten Commandments, guided by cloud during day, by fire at night).  John was part of God's plan from long ago (prophesied by Isaiah) and Gabriel further prophesied on John from Luke 1:5-24.  God meets us during our times of need to guide us and remind us that He is there always.        
• John the Baptist's delivers the message that Jesus is on the way, He is greater, and how He brings the Holy Spirit. Humility and truth.

John lived in the wilderness (see also Luke 3), and was led by God to proclaim that the long awaited Messiah was on His way. People went out to the wilderness to find the Good News and to be saved.  Where ever you are, in what ever emotional state you find yourself in, God is there and He seeks to carry your cares and anxieties (1 Peter 5:7).  He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) - in your spiritual wilderness, a place of seeming desolation, God saves.

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My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God that saw me as lost in my wilderness and inclined my ear and softened my heart to hear the Good News, confess my sins, and asked to be saved - and You responded saving me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and continue to pour out mercies every morning that never cease, revealing Yourself to me in the Word, and through the sanctification process.  Thank You but again I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my sin 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.  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.   

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

Mark 6:45-56

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. Mark 6:45-47

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:45-56, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: V46 Jesus makes time to pray as it is a priority - He knew the disciples wanted more time with Him and that the crowds following Him sought more time with Him.  Jesus was a man very much in demand...He never turned away those in need, yet at the same time He made time to pray. V48 and 51 Jesus is all powerful, and He is able to walk on water and control the weather - we can take comfort in knowing that anything is possible through God. V52 God hardens and softens hearts at His discretion - we are urged to share our testimony and the gospel but it is God alone who saves.  V56 Jesus meets the needs of humanity as He heals - not just physically but spiritually.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: V50: God's power can be terrifying - we should be drawn into the comforting arms of Him for refuge.  V52: For many, miracles are insufficient to move people to a greater understanding of God...Jesus' feeding of the five thousand earlier in Mark 6 should have certainly been sufficient to see that God was at work but the text shares that the disciples did not understand and their hearts were hardened. For those who love and believe in Him, all things work together for good - Romans 8:28.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should make time to pray, we should see God's power and in reverent fear be drawn close to Him to love and obey Him.  We should know that God heals. 

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My Prayer: Father God, what an awesome God You are that You save!  I am not deserving of how You save and pour out mercies inexhaustibly 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 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.