Powerful Lessons When We Don't Like God's Plan

2 Kings 5

Here is Naaman, a valiant solider who had leprosy.  Elisha provides guidance to Naaman for him to be cured but Naaman does not like this guidance:

¹¹ But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. ¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. (verses 11-12)

Ultimately, Naaman relents after his servants implore him to do so and he is ultimately cured.

Next we have Elisha's servant Gehazi who is not happy that Elisha treated Naaman with such mercy even though he still serves a godless King:

After Naaman had traveled some distance, ²⁰ Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” (verses 19-20)

The question for me is
- am I too blind/deaf/dumb to not see God's guidance clearly?
- or am I too stubborn and fixated on my own plan to see the wisdom of God's plan?

I need to stay close to God so I can both hear God's words and also that I can see the wisdom of his plan and submit/obey.

My Prayer: Lord, again - time after time, day after day, I see the awesome nature of your plan unfolding in my life and how you provide - ALWAYS.  Forgive me for my fear, my concern, and my doubt - I must trust you!  Help me stay close to you, hear you, see you, love, follow you, submit to you and obey you.

God is to Shine Through Us - For HIS Glory

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 17

God calls us out to be separate, to be bold and to be a light onto others.  Yet this means different things depending on the occasion.

Notice here how David talks and acts tough as he has been called by God to take on Goliath.

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 

 Earlier in 1 Samuel 16 - he is a humble servant. 

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

  

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

 ²¹ David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

 ²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Whatever the role we play in life, the response from others should be consistent as it is with Saul.

After David slays Goliath in chapter 17, Saul's response is consistent:

 ⁵⁵ As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” 

What is interesting here is that Saul forgets David's name - David loses his identity, yet God shines through him anyway and all that he does is for God's glory not his own.

My Prayer: Lord I have seen your work in my own life and it is amazing.  Praise that I can be part of your plan.  Forgive me when I take glory for my own work or when I seek my own plan.  Please help me lose myself, focus on you, and let you shine through me for your glory. 

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

 John 11:45-57

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:49-52

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:45-57, where we reach the climax of the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus' moment for His arrest and crucifixion is near as we reach the beginning of Holy/Passion Week (chapter 12).  Yet as the Pharisees sought to arrest and kill Jesus, Jesus evades and "no longer walked openly among the Jews," instead going near the wilderness to Ephraim (v54).  Jesus has a plan and nothing is going to stop His plan.  Vv49-52 shows that Jesus has providence over all details - including the words of Caiaphas as God spoke through the high priest to prophesy that Jesus would die at their hands for His people (those who believe and followed Him) not just now across all redemptive history as His followers will be scattered all over the world.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Some of the Jews who had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection believed in Jesus (v45) while some went to the Pharisees to share what Jesus had done, knowing the Pharisees would use this as further evidence that they should arrest and kill Jesus (vv53, 57).  They were more concerned about their own status and power then they were with following Jesus who fulfilled prophecy as the Promised Messiah. V55 notes how the Jews focused on external cleansing/purification instead of cleansing of their heart which only Jesus can do.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): People should avoid focusing on their own efforts to be saved - being good is not something any of us can truly do - we are all sinful and broken and God alone cleanses our heart, gives us power over sin and makes us more like Him.  We should claim the promise that Jesus alone saves.  We should follow the example of Jesus who had a plan.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  I am not deserving of how You give me a heart of flesh, power over sin and eternal life.  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.

A Faith Without Question or Hesitation

Today's Reading
Genesis 22

What is amazing about this passage is that Abraham does not question or hesitate to follow God's instructions to sacrifice the only son born to him and Sarah - a son for whom they waited nearly an entire lifetime to have and raise.

This is unlike many of the other interactions Abraham has with God. Earlier in Genesis 15:2, Abraham doubts God can provide the great reward He promises with the covenant He makes with Abraham. Again in Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah, despite God's promise to bear a son of their own, seek a plan of their own doing (and not of God's). And once again, in Genesis 17:17, Abraham scoffs at the notion that he and Sarah can have children at such an advanced age.

In Genesis 22, Abraham is instructed by God to do what all of us would consider unthinkable - to sacrifice their one and only son! Unlike previous occasions, Abraham does not question and does not hesitate - such faith!

On one hand I say to myself, I am not capable of such things - I would not follow God's instructions. Further, I would likely go my own way as did Sarah and Abraham as they bore a child through Hagar the maid-servant.

On the other hand, I feel that with God's help I could perhaps do something like this. I try not to think of my own sons Zach and Dustin, both of whom I love deeply - my focus is only on Him. It almost brings me to tears. I reflect further and begin to feel not anger in the Lord but almost a sense of deeper love for Him - how clear an indication do we need that God is trying to use us when he instructs us in such a way. It becomes clear that God has a plan for us.

My Prayer: Lord, please help me follow you without question and without hesitation. Help me free myself from distractions and focus on your will. Forgive me when I seek my own hand. Help me focus on your glory and your will.

Submit to God's Plan Because It is His Glory We Seek, Not Our Own

Today's Reading
Judges 7

² The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

  

⁴ But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

 ⁵ So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” ⁶ Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

 ⁷ The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” ⁸ So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Here we see how Gideon seeks to defeat the Midianites yet he desires his OWN plan vs the glory of God.  Yet God speaks to Gideon and reminds him that it is the glory of God that must be the outcome.  While Gideon's men ultimately defeat the Midianites, the message of glory to God is ultimately lost on the Israelites as they return to their evil ways:

³³ No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god ³⁴ and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. ³⁵ They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them. (Judges 8: 33-35)

How can we focus on the glory of God.

First of all, we must remind ourselves daily of what He has done for us and we must live in the light of the Lord - to be in scripture and in relationship with Him.  See my previous entry.

My Prayer:  Lord, you are truly great - I have seen you bless me and others.  You are AWESOME! Thank you for all that you have done for me and all that you are!  Forgive me if I am not as obedient as you wish.  Help me know you more, desire you more, love you more, trust you more, follow you and become more like you Lord.

Engineering an Outcome

Today's Reading
Genesis chps 27

We all desire the best for our children yet engineering an outcome for them is ill-conceived. Rebekah loves Jacob best and seeks to yield Issac's blessing for Jacob instead of Esau. Rebekah and Jacob intentionally deceive Issac multiple times in this story - all so that Jacob may receive his father's blessing. And then when the plot is discovered, Jacob must flee to escape the wrath of Esau who is of course steaming (as is Issac).

Although at birth, the Lord says to Rebekah that Esau is to serve his younger brother, Rebekah takes things into her own hands and attempts to engineer an outcome, not waiting patiently for the Lord to reveal his own plan.

I do this all the time as I trust in my own abilities, am not patient, and don't depend on and trust in the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord, help me depend on you, help me not depend on my own abilities and instead be patient and seek your guidance, wisdom, and will for my life.

Be Mindful of God's Plan

Today's Reading
Genesis Chps 46 to 48

Joseph has finally made himself known to his brothers and his brothers have returned home to tell their father Jacob. Jacob of course is ecstatic and will come to Egypt to reunite with his son, whom Jacob thought was dead. Upon the reunion of course their is much joy and Jacob and all of the family settle in Goshen. Jacob is near death and in chapter 48 he blesses Joseph and two grandsons Ephraim (younger) and Manasseh (older).

As Jacob blesses Ephraim, Joseph is "displeased".

When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head. (Gen 48:17-18)

However, Jacob indicates that he is led that this is part of God's plan and that both will be blessed and that Ephraim has a "greater" role in God's plan.

But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations." ²⁰ He blessed them that day and said, In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

I can't imagine that Joseph would have a hard time with the younger playing a greater role than the older son. We don't need to look any further than Joseph's own life where he even boasted to his older brothers (and own father!) about his special abilities and gifts given to him from God.

I am reminded here how we need to be mindful of God's plan and how we need to submit to his will. As part of this we need to be mindful of how we are SO inclined to have things our way - we are human are we not. Stay close to Him and pray that we can lean on Him and focus on His will...this is my prayer.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. v20-21

Genesis 39

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. v20-21

This may not have been the escape Joseph sought when he ran from Potiphar's wife (see post yesterday) yet God has a plan for all of us and it is good (Jeremiah 29:11).  Plus, God's thoughts and ways are not our own - we may not know or understand what He is doing but we can trust in Him.

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

I've seen how God works (for my good and His glory) in my own life and am amazed.

We know from Genesis 41 that Joseph is put in charge of all of Egypt - God has a plan indeed for Joseph.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God who has a plan - and it is great.  I don't know Your plan but I trust in You.  Thank You for how You have blessed and protected me.  I am not worth such love because I often don't have faith or trust....and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn from it 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.

God's Plan Is Greater Than Our Plan!

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 23-24

Balaak's actions here remind me of how I act when I see my plan being better than that of God's plan. Balaak summons Balaam to curse Israelites as they pass through the desert. While Balaak sees the Israelites as a threat, Balaam sees the Israelites as blessed by God and Balaam has faith in God. I strive to be more like Balaam and less like Balaak. Here is Balak's response to Balaam when things don't go his way and Balaam confronts him with truth and stands faithful to God.

¹⁰ Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. ¹¹ Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."

¹² Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, ¹³ 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says'? ¹⁴ Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come." (Numbers 24: 10-14)

My Prayer: Lord, you are my protector and you are worthy of praise. Forgive me when I seek my own will and desires over yours. Help me be more like Balaam and less like Balaak. Help me fight and win against the evils of the world.

What Is God's Idea of Intimacy Between Two Men

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 18

Many who know me know that I am a strong advocate for men to growth in their faith alongside other men.  This is clearly what God intends.  Here in 1 Samuel, there is greater clarity and definition of this intimacy.

Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

This one speaks for itself.  Yet there is more...

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This last one above is less instinctive.  Above and beyond any natural connections or areas of life where there is common ground that we share with another man, there needs to be an explicit "unnatural" step of a covenant that cements any bond.

For me, I see:

(1) Oneness
I am in someone else's life and someone else is in my life - to the point where one life is indistinguishable from another.  The common denominator is faith and love of God.

(2) Love
This love builds on the common bond of faith and love of God and extends into natural connections where earthly life is shared.

(3) Covenant
This is a commitment that pushes us to support each other through thick and thin, much like a marriage.  When it does not feel natural, we do it anyway - the it being love someone as you love yourself and to support each other even when you don't feel like it.

My Prayer: Lord, you have placed men in my life that have proven to be brothers, in Christ and otherwise.  I am in awe of how you designed this and your plan for me played itself out in terms of their blessing for my life.  Thank you for these men.  Forgive me if I put too much faith in my own plan and if I am not the brother you want me to be.  Help me create brothers for other men, for me to be a brother and help me submit to your will for me to have brothers in my life.

Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses.

Numbers 9:15-23

Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses. Numbers 9:22-23

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 9:15-23, we see the people of Israel following the Lord in the wilderness as He gives them direction over the tabernacle as He provides a cloud by day and fire by night.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God was with Israel as the camped and moved in the wilderness - over the tabernacle as a cloud by day and fire by night - v16.  The cloud and the fire served as God direction for them - if it rested over the tabernacle they remained in camp - v18.  When the cloud lifted, they set out - v17.  Seven times in the text we see Israel following the command of the Lord to either set out or remain in camp - vv18 (2x), 20 (2x), and 23 (3x).  The duration of how long the cloud remained over the tabernacle did not matter - regardless of how they felt about remaining in camp, they "kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses" (v23).  Such as true for believers today and key for them to understand how God alone provides this direction is the extent to which we abide in Him and allow Him to direct our steps.  See John 15:5, Romans 12:2, Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9, 20:24, and Jeremiah 10:23.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Believers should understand that God holds our lives in His hands and that we exist to glorify Him.  We are very often tempted to take matters into our own hands when instead we need to lean into Him and to pray for His guidance to direct our steps. Even in waiting, God is at work - always. 
• 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 taking matters into your own hands.  Claim the promise that God has a plan for you that is hopeful and good (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). Follow the example of Christ who remained in and followed God's will.  Keep God's charge.      

Comment and discuss this post

 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You have a plan for me that is good and hopeful.  Thank You Jesus for directing my steps!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless - I often see my own ways and my sin 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.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me....And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Luke 9:23 and Matthew 10:38

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me....And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #38: To Create a Band of Crucified Followers.  The devotion opens by emphasizing how during His last days, Jesus was focused on His God-given mission - to die on the cross.  Nothing could stop this plan - not even Herod. When He was arrested Jesus reminded the disciples that this was always part of the plan - fulfilling prophecy from long ago (Old Testament). See also Luke 9:51, 13:32, and Matthew 26:56.  As the devotion continues to unfold, it provides the image of the road to Calvary and how Jesus had to carry his own cross on this road as He was led to His death. We are then referred to Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38, and Romans 6:11 as the devotion pivots from Christ's death to Christ's command we must also pick up our own cross and follow Him, as  our old selves must die and we must be born again.  Piper describes the verse in Matthew as having a "terrifying effect" as it specifically shares that if we don't pick up our own cross and follow Him - denying ourselves - we are not worthy of Jesus.  Pointing to Romans 6:11, the devotion then moves to describe this death [leading to rebirth] we must experience: "the old self-determining, self-absorbed me must be crucified. I must every day reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God. This is the path of life[.]"  The devotion concludes by pointing to Hebrews 13:12-13 and Revelation 12:11 as these verses share how believers are called to follow Jesus's example of "bearing the reproach" He endured, even if that means to the point of death and martyrdom. A sobering devotion this morning indeed....yet this is what Jesus calls us to do when He calls us to follow Him.  Our life will not be easy, yet He will be with us every step of the way and He is saving a place in Heaven for us - rejoice! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who willingly went to the cross, suffering and dying for me so that I could have life now....and for eternity in Heaven with You.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin - including harshness towards others - is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You. Help me love 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. 

[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad....And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 11:51-52 and John 10:16

[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad....And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 11:51-52, John 10:16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #46: To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World.  Piper opens this devotion by sharing how God often uses His creation who unwittingly speak on God's behalf.  His first example is from Numbers 22:28 where a donkey speaks for God.  His next example is from John 11:50-52 where the high priest of Israel - Caiaphas - unwittingly prophesied that "Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad."  Piper then shares how Jesus Himself said the same thing as Caiaphas - see John 10:16.  Emphasizing this specific prophecy, the devotion then remarks how Jesus works as "astonishing [because] [t]hey teach that all over the world there are people whom God has chosen to be reached and saved by Jesus Christ....This means that God is very aggressive in gathering a people for his Son. He calls his people to go make disciples, but he also goes before them. He has a people chosen before his messengers get there."  As the devotion begins to wind down, Piper highlights the importance of missions as he refers us to John 10:3-4.  The devotion then concludes and nets out the key response for those readers who are believers: "Jesus suffered and died so that the sheep could hear his voice and live...He gave up his life to gather the sheep. By his blood he bought the mercy that makes his voice unmistakable to his own. Pray that God would apply that mercy to you, and that you would hear and live."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is in control and You have a perfect design and plan to reach all nations and peoples. Use me Father God in this plan - help me understand and answer Your call to serve and help.  Thank You for the incredible grace and mercy You poured out for me as shed blood so that I could live now for You and for eternity.  I am not deserving of such blessings...not by a long shot.  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.

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

John 2:1-12

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” John 2:3-4

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 2:1-12 using the Sword Bible Study Method, and tomorrow I will take another pass at the text and summarize my thoughts from both today and tomorrow by providing an outline/divisions and main point for the text.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Once again, as I posted yesterday, Jesus acts with intent and purpose - He has a plan; see v4 where He rebukes His mother for asking Him to make more wine by sharing "My hour has not yet come"; yet while Jesus does act with intent and He does have a plan, He responds to the cares and concerns of His people and in this case His own mother;  clearly this was not a need that reached the same level as other requests for healing, etc. but Jesus will respond to the cares and concerns of His people and STILL make His plan work; here Jesus produces wine from water - the first of His miracles that "manifested His glory" - v10.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Jesus' mother's request can be seen as a petty use of Jesus' power as the King of Kings; people often make petty requests of God - He is not a vending machine - vv3-4. Upon Jesus' turning of the water into wine, Jesus' disciples believed 
• 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 bring our cares and concerns to Jesus (1 Peter 5:7) and He wants to hear them - however, we should be mindful that Jesus is not a vending machine and we should seek His will not our own with our requests (see also Luke 22:42).    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of compassion and grace - You want to hear our cares and concerns and You respond.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love, grace and mercy - my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  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.

But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”

John 7:25-31

But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” John 7:27-29

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:25-31, where we see continued reactions to Jesus' teaching in the temple during the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares that His origin is from the Father who is True (vv28-29).  He also shares that the people do not know God the Father - He who sent Jesus (v29). In v30 we see that nothing will stop God's plan of Jesus' death and resurrection despite the Jewish leadership having opportunity to arrest Him.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people of Jerusalem struggle to understand why the Jews - who are seeking to kill Jesus (v25) - are not confronting Jesus now that He is in plain sight and not avoiding the Jews (in contrast to vv1-3,6,8).  The people think they know Jesus based on where He is from and from their incomplete understanding of OT prophecies of Jesus (OT prophecies are clear that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, but prophecies of Jesus' hometown being Nazareth are inconclusive - see this).  Regardless, the people's understanding of scripture should lead them to believe that Jesus IS the Christ, the Promised Messiah. Many believed in Jesus - see v31 - although the text shares that they believed because of the signs He performed not that they believed He is the Promised Messiah.      
• 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 making claims about Jesus that are not scripturally accurate.  Claim the promise that Jesus was sent by the Father and the Father is Truth so Jesus is Truth because all things have been given by the Father to the Son.  Claim the promise also that nothing will stop God's plan - of course with certainty we can say that He will come again, and believers are saved.  Follow Jesus' example to challenge those who claim to know scripture but add to/subtract from the Word to support their own motives. Bring the Word everywhere! 

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

Courage is an Outcome of Your Walk With God

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy 1:19-46

There is certainly alot going on here but what sticks out to me is the courage of Caleb and Joshua - courage that only comes to us through faith in God. This is in context of Moses recalling the story the moment when the Israelites were nearing the promised land.

God requests the Israelites to take the hill country of the Amorites. He even tries to soothe their fears.

²⁰ Then I said to you, "You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. ²¹ See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (verse 20-21)

What is striking here is that even with God actually soothing the nerves of the Israelites, they still sought their own plan vs God's plan, convincing Moses that sending spies into the land would reassure them more so than God.

²² Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to."

²³ The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. ²⁴ They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshcol and explored it. ²⁵ Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, "It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us."

²⁶ But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. ²⁷ You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. ²⁸ Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. (verses 22-28)

How quickly the Israelites lose faith in God by saying "the Lord hates us"! Moses then reminds the Israelites of how he tried to encourage them and how God sought to protect them.

²⁹ Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. ³⁰ The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, ³¹ and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." (verse 29-31)

Probably most telling is how the Israelites hemmed and hawed then begrudingly followed him.

⁴¹ Then you replied, "We have sinned against the LORD. We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God commanded us." So every one of you put on his weapons, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country. (verse 41)

Of course the Lord sees right through the Israelites and denies those who lack true and complete faith any access to the promised land.

⁴² But the LORD said to me, "Tell them, 'Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.' "⁴³ So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the LORD's command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country. ⁴⁴ The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah. ⁴⁵ You came back and wept before the LORD, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you. ⁴⁶ And so you stayed in Kadesh many days—all the time you spent there. (verse 42-46)

My Prayer: Lord, your strength provides me with great comfort and I thank you for how you have protected me...time and time again in my life. Forgive me when I stray, neglect you, and for my disobedient. For example, I am not in prayer not nearly as much as I would like. Please help me with this.

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.

Chapter 9: Pages 121-132, Judges 6-7, and 1 Samuel 12

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 1 Samuel 12:20-22

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 2 "The Ultimate Goal of Providence", starting with Section 2 "The Ultimate Goal of Providence in the History of Israel" - moving to chapter eight "The Time of the Judges and Days of Monarchy". Here Piper indicates that during the period of Judges when Israel had no king (end of Joshua's generation), we see "the unstoppable power of sin....Israel spiral[s] down into anarchy during [this] time...and [e]veryone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6, 21:25)." Piper uses Judges 2:16-19 as a key scriptural example of the spiral.

Yet Piper does use one example from this period to show God's "patience and mercy" - Gideon. In Judges 7:2-3, God makes it clear that it is Him who deserves the glory of any victory over the Midianites. Piper points to pride and arrogance and the need for self-exaltation (vs that of God exaltation) as a key issue for Israel at the time. Piper than points out how God's "ultimate goal in the period of the judges...[was] to point Israel beyond their anarchy and pride to the hope of humble, happy worship under the omnipotent, redeeming hand of God." 

Piper then moves beyond the period of the judges to the period of monarchy starting under Saul, David, and then subsequent kings, to describe how God's plan all along was that Israel be led by a king first of course an earthly one, then via the Messiah as the "final and eternal king-the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16)." Piper describes the strangeness here as "the actual movement to install the first king was an act of rebellion against God, even though God had already prophesied that Israel would have a king....and further describes this strangeness by adding that God had even "warned that having a king would be trouble for Israel."  He uses multiple scriptural examples to illustrate the "God-ordained roots of the reign of man" by looking at Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and 1 Samuel 2:10. 1 Samuel 8:11-18 is used as an example to show how not all of the kings are going to be "as circumspect as Deuteronomy required." Piper uses Samuel's farewell speech in 1 Samuel 12 to continue reverence and love of the Lord in spite of an earthly king because if Israel does not turn away from the Lord, He "will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake."

This kingship "through sin" is then discussed by Piper to "show God's grace....and how every blessing that comes from this kingship is undeserved...is grace."  Piper then describes three great blessings that come from this kingship, including (1) David and the Psalms - and the overarching them of the Psalms is God's praise, (2) Solomon's building of the temple - and the temple exists for God's name - see 2 Chronicles 6, (3) the final kingship of Jesus the Messiah. Piper's description makes it clear that there is no disconnect between the reign of man and the reign of Christ - it is all part of God's plan and providence. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is so full of grace for me - time and time again, I sin, yet You forgive me, restore me, and even bless me.  I am so undeserving!  My sin continues...as it did with Israel, it does for me.  Worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We Question God's Plan, Yet He Shows Mercy

Today's Reading
Numbers Chps 19-20

Once again as the Israelites wander through the desert, they question God's plan:

² Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. ³ They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! ⁴ Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? ⁵ Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Numbers 20: 2-5)

To me it's not really that long since the last time the Israelites grumbled against Moses and the Lord!!

For all of this grumbling, God shows mercy and instead of wiping out grumblers like He does in Numbers 16:31-33, he provides water and lets them live:

⁹ So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him. ¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" ¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (Numbers 20:9-11)

Is our God not merciful? Although God could have killed the Israelites, he lets them live. However we do see that God punishes the Israelites by not allowing them to reach the promised land...yet.

On the one hand we see how God provides for our needs (water) yet is firm in that it is HIS plan and HIS timing that is the priority. We need to be patient.

My Prayer: Thank you for how you provide and for your mercy. Forgive me for my own sin and impatience and help me focus on you and your plan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Exercises Restraint Knowing That He Will Be King in God's Time

Today's Reading
1 Samuel 31 to 2 Samuel 1

I know that God has His own measure of time and of course His own plan.  David respects this.  David knows that he is to be king of Israel upon Saul's death.  Yet he does not kill Saul even though he has ample opportunity, and even in Saul's death he does not rejoice.  Initially, he rebukes and then kills the soldier who struck the final blow resulting in Saul's death.  He then grieves the death of Jonathon and Saul.

¹⁴ David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:14)

...

²³ Saul and Jonathan—
   in life they were loved and admired,
   and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
   they were stronger than lions.

 ²⁴ “Daughters of Israel,
   weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
   who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. (2 Samuel 1:23-24)

My Prayer: Lord, you have given me greater patience and perspective regarding your timing and your will - you know me more so than I know myself and I thank you for your divine teachings and for your guidance and counsel - you are my rock, my shield, and my light.  Please help me lean on you, trust you, love, follow you, obey you and seek you out - more and more each day.