These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 1

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. v16

Holy cow - Jude is referring to me!  I am a grumbler and faultfinder and and oft-repeated prayer of mine is that I stop being critical and harsh of others, particularly those in my family.  I need to use words to encourage not tear down.  I need to choose my words carefully.  Help me Jesus!

See also Proverbs 17, Romans 14, John 4, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 among some of the scripture references that offer my help this morning.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and Your words have authority - they are Truth...I DO need to speak as if You are speaking.  I very often use words to grumble and to find fault...please forgive me Jesus!  I don't want to tear others down but instead love!  Help me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin, turn from it, and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  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.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

Psalm 37

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. v30-31

I know that "the tongue is also a fire" (James 3) as I have used my words to tear down others, including people close to me.  I also know that when I focus on "being transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12), my heart and my life are transformed.  As a result, more of my words are used to build up and to encourage one another.  

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14     

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

 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God in that Your Word is flawless and it never fails.  I know that apart from You I can do nothing (no good thing).  You are such a great teacher, full of compassion, patience, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I am not  compassionate, patient, merciful, etc. with others as You are with me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me use my words to encourage and to build up others (vs tear them down).  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. v23-26

What comes out of our mouth is a sign of what is in our heart so if we are quarreling, we have a heart issue.  Additionally, quarreling is not Godly per Paul in his words to Timothy.  

See also

• Ephesians 4 
• James 3 

My Prayer: Lord what an awesome God You are that You created language that we can communicate in sophisticated ways - writing, songs, movies, speaking, etc.  How awesome are You that provide all of this and You do it for Your glory!  You have gifted me with words - sometimes I use it for Your glory but sometimes I don't but instead am harsh with my words.  Thank You for blessing me with such gifts, but please forgive me if I fail to use them for Your glory!  Help me turn from such 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 glorify You by using words to encourage and bring others to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  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. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

Psalm 51

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. v12-13

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Yet God is so great that He is not only able to forgive us, but He is able to redeem our sin for something much more valuable - His glory!  Incredible.  God want us to use the grace, mercy, patience, compassion, etc. He pours out on us by helping others with similar sin.

Confess our sins and use our words to build one another up (not to tear others down).

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

 

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

 

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God - You are able to use broken people such as myself for Your glory and others' good.  You bless me by allowing me to bless others.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me in this way. I am not worth the love and blessing You pour out on me because I worry and I often fail to encourage others with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such 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.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

Ephesians 6

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

Today I complete my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move to a more detailed examination of Ephesians 6:21-24.  These verses focus on Paul's closing remarks to the church in Ephesus in this prison epistle.  Paul tells the Ephesians that he is sending Tychicus to them so that they "may know how he [is] and what [he is] doing"...and so that "Tychicus may encourage [their] hearts" (v21-22). He then sends final greetings in v23-24.   

To assist my learning this morning, I watched the following videos from DesiringGod.com:

What Do the Lives of Teachers Tell Us?

In this video, John Piper observes four key reasons why Paul provides the details he does in his closing remarks to the church in Ephesus:

1. he shares details of how he is doing and what he is doing (i.e. in v20 Paul remarks how he is in "chains" or prison) so that the church can appropriately pray
2. he shares details of what he is doing because teachers not only use words to teach but also teach by enabling others to see how they live, thereby providing a model to imitate; see also 1 Corinthians 4:11-17
3. he shares details because he wants the readers to not lose heart as Paul is suffering for their glory and their sake; see also Ephesians 3:13 and Colossians 1:24
4. Christ gives us teachers to equip and they do so not just with words but by actions and through face-to-face interactions and fellowship; Tychicus is sent in person on behalf of Paul as an encouragement; see also Ephesians 4:11-12
   

A Closing Cry for Peace and Love - through the cross we not only have peace and with God but also with each other.  Love is the means through which we have peace with God and with others. Both peace and love are WITH faith - to show that love and peace flow FROM faith (1 Timothy 1:5). 

Grace from Start to Finish - grace WITH ALL who love Christ with a love that it is incorruptible based on an imperishable source (lasts forever). See also Romans 11:4-6 and Ephesians 1:4-6.  Grace produced faith and then this produced all the fruits of the Spirit, including love and peace.  God gives us grace and this grace via faith produces more (future) grace (infinitely and forever); see also James 4:4-10 and 1 Peter 5:5-7.

Incredible messages from God this morning!  Thank You Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God - thank You for the grace You have already given me and thank You in anticipation of the grace I know You will give out to me in the future.  I am not deserving of this of course.  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.

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Proverbs 21

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. v23

We are to love and encourage one another.  Solomon warns us that otherwise we are to experience calamity...this is true as I have experienced this myself far too many times.  Thank You Jesus for Your great mercies.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14

See other posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are! You are so full of love, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I continue to be harsh with my words...please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Help me use words to encourage others and not tear them down.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Pages: 365-373

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:103-104

This morning, I continued with John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture, continuing with Part 3 The Natural Act of Reading the Bible Supernaturally, chapter twenty-six: Propositions: Collections of Nuggets or Links in a Chain.  Here, Piper continues to encourage us to build our natural reading habits by pursing "aggressive attentiveness."  He writes that we can find Biblical authors' intent by looking at the words and phrases used in their context.  Here in this chapter, he goes further by saying - using Paul as an example - that the Bible is is not a string of useful nuggets, instead it is a chain.  He introduces the use of "arcing" as a practical method or device where we "identif[y] the clauses of propositions of a text, figuring out how they relate to each other in the emerging argument, and then labeling them with abbreviations under the arcs that we connected with ever-enlarging arcs as we saw how the pieces of the argument fit together."  Piper provides Biblearc.com as a useful resource.  

As I've grown in my walk with Christ, I've leaned on Matthew 5:6 and felt the truth in this promise as continue to as I read John Piper and his thoughts about how to increase the fruit from our Bible study.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God indeed and You HAVE filled and satisfied me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how you feed me in ALL ways.  My sin continues - worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Thessalonians 3

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3:12

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 2-day 2, my focus is a review of 2 Thessalonians 3 assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians to unpack the text. The commentary's divisions for this text are spread over two chapters of the commentary where the main idea for from the commentary for 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 is*: "[g]enuinely converted people will bear the fruit of transformed lives," and the divisions/sub-divisions that cover chapter 3 include*:

• They Are Secure in God’s Salvation (2:16-3:5)
• A guarded faith (3:2-3)
• A growing faith (3:1,4)

The main idea from the commentary* for 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18: "Christians have an obligation to hold one another accountable for how they pursue their work and how they relate to one another."  Key excerpts from the introduction of the commentary for this text include*: "[s]urprisingly, one of the greatest dangers to the Thessalonian church was not a blatant attack from people on the outside, but the carelessness and laziness of people on the inside....This is not the first encounter with these individuals. In fact, they appeared several times in Paul’s first letter (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14). Some suggest that these people represent those who have quit their jobs in anticipation of the coming of Christ. Others argue that they were poor members of the church who were taking advantage of the affluent members. Whoever these people were and whatever the reason for their irresponsibility, clearly their conduct and their attitude were adversely affecting the church.  Paul clearly sees the need to address this issue." Divisions from the commentary for this text:

1. Don’t Be Lazy (3:6b-10): We are referred to Colossians 3:23-24 where Paul writes how, regardless of what we do, "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"; Paul* provides two reasons why Christians should avoid laziness: (a) "Christianity was worthless unless it found its way into the fabric of life....If we take God’s Word seriously, then we will take it to work with us. That is, how we do our work will reflect on the One we claim to worship."  Paul* seeks to admonish "in the strongest words possible" those in the church who are idle. He writes how he has worked and how this should serve as an example.
   
2. Don’t Be a Burden (3:11-12): Paul* points out that idle "individuals [in the church] were becoming a burden to those who were seeking to quietly live out their faith. It’s one thing to be out of line, but it is an entirely different matter when you become a distraction to the entire church."
   
3. Don’t Be Weary (3:13): Paul* turns to those who were not being idle to encourage them to keep going in their good works in serving the Lord. Apparently these members of the church in Thessalonica were becoming discouraged "by the wayward members and so [were] tempted to lose heart or patience, [so] Paul challenges them to keep doing the right thing." 
   
4. Don’t Be Negligent (3:6, 14-15): Paul* describes that church discipline is critical and that "God expects His people to take an active role in maintaining the purity and guarding the integrity of His church."  Church leadership and the body must be on-guard for idleness and inaction and address it swiftly.    
   
5. Don’t Be Forgetful (3:16-18): In his benediction, Paul* offers a prayer that recognizes that the "Thessalonians were going to need divine enablement to live in the manner set forth in his letters."
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always at work for me - and You give me gifts and talents to use for Your glory.  I am amazed at how You use gifts and talents for Your glory in the church.  Thank You for how You equip me in my role as father, husband and worker.  I am not deserving of Your blessings and love.  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.

*Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series, Exalting Jesus in 1-2 Thessalonians, Mark Howell

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

Hebrews 3

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:10-11

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 3:7-19, as I build on my post yesterday, and lean on commentary for this text.  I start with the commentary's overview of this text "Exhort and Encourage for the Sake of Faith," and then move to what the commentary describes as the first division "Learning from a Bad Example," which looks at Hebrews 3:7-11. The commentary highlights the text's first few words that follow "therefore", which sadly I overlooked in my initial reading yesterday.  These words are "as the Holy Spirit says," and the commentary indicates: "[the author of Hebrews] prefaces a quotation of the Psalms with the words, “as the Holy Spirit says.” In doing so, the author dramatically affirms the divine inspiration of Scripture."  The commentary then outlines how the use of these words accomplish two tasks: "[f]irst, it teaches us that God is the author of Scripture. It teaches us, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21)....When we hear Scripture, read Scripture, study Scripture, or encounter Scripture in any way, we can be confident God is speaking to us.  Second, it affirms the living character of Scripture. The author does not use the past tense. He does not say, “The Holy Spirit said.” He uses the present tense. Every time we open the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks. Even though the biblical authors recorded these words long ago, they are still living words.  The author of Hebrews explicitly argues this in the next chapter: “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)."  The commentary then shares how the text uses the word "today" in v7 and how this emphasizes the urgency of believing today, not to put off any decision of faith.  It then moves to share why the author used the story of how the Israelites wandered through the wilderness and lost faith - we are exhorted to remain faithful.  "[The author] wants [readers] to make it to the true land of rest." Of course this true land of rest is through faith in Jesus Christ. The commentary defines rest as "safety, security, and salvation."  The commentary wraps its examination of Hebrews 3:7-11 by indicating the serious and sobering nature of either not believing or losing faith as the Israelites did in the wilderness: "[j]ust as he did with Israel, God will shut out from his rest those who rebel, walk in unfaithfulness, and presume on the grace of God. Like faithless Israel, those who presume on the grace of God will die on the wrong side of the Jordan. We must hold firmly today lest we wake up outside God’s eternal rest." Hold firm in your faith!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - thank You for how You help me remain firm in my faith - by providing Your Word, the Holy Spirit, my church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings.  I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1 Corinthians 10

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. From the commentary*, the main idea for the text: "Avoid idolatry and practices that bring you near idols, knowing that demonic activity promotes them." The introduction* then expands on this main idea by first sharing thoughts on idolatry/demons/devils from C.S. Lewis in the introduction to the The Screwtape Letters: 

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight."

This warning is then compared to the idolatry practiced by the church in Corinth in AD 55.

The commentary* then unpacks the text in more detail in two divisions: 

1. Communion with the Lord Is Essential (10:14-17): Pointing to v13 from text previously discussed by the commentary*, Paul directly addresses idolatry by prefacing v14 with "so then." V13 shares how God provides a way out of temptation (Christ), so then we should "flee from idolatry (v14).  We should be on guard for sinful influences of all kinds.  Peter's words are useful - see 1 Peter 5:8. The commentary* then moves to vv16-17 where Paul draws our attention to the Lord's Supper and he contrasts it with idolatry.  Communion draws us closer to God (vs idols), moves us further from idols, and also provides for both fellowship and union with other believers. We are encouraged to participate in Communion.     
   
2. Association with Demons Is Evil (10:18-22): Here Paul draws on his knowledge of the Old Testament where the Israelites practiced idolatry throughout various periods in its history. The commentary* explores demons and describes them as most likely fallen angels, pointing to Revelation 12:4 where "possibly one-third of the angels fell with Satan."  Additional scriptural references* to demons include:    

• Some demons are free to roam now (Mark 1:21-34). 
• Some demons will be free to roam during the great tribulation (Revelation 9:13-19). 
• Some demons are confined now, never to roam the earth again (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). 
• Demons are powerful but not omnipotent (Mark 1:24). 
• Only God is omnipotent. Their activity may have increased during the time of Christ, and it may also increase again at the end of the age before Christ returns (see Revelation 6–19). 
• They are set up under Satan’s control (Ephesians 6:11-12), probably in rank, possibly in geography (Daniel 10:12-14).

Further thought on demons provided by the commentary*:

• They have authority and can promote disunity, false doctrine, and false worship, cause mental difficulties, and hinder Christian growth. 
• Demons can oppress but not possess believers. 
• Demons use idolatry to further false worship of false gods.
• Demons compromise our loyalty 
  

Bottom line - we should know that demons exist, be on guard, and flee from influences that lead us towards them.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - providing a way out from temptation and my brothers and sisters in Christ to support and encourage me in this effort.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

But all things should be done decently and in order.

 1 Corinthians 14

But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 14. Here, building on guidance provided in the previous two chapters on spiritual gifts, Paul provides guidance about how to exercise the spiritual gift of prophecy vs that of speaking in tongues.  My review of the text:

• V1: Love - as Paul expounds on in the last chapter - is most important to demonstrate with spiritual gifts.
• Vv1-2: Paul acknowledges the gift of speaking in tongues, but seeks for believers to be understood which is a concern for those speaking in tongues. 
• Vv3-5: On the other hand, offering prophecy is typically done to encourage, console, and to build up the church. Writings of the major prophets in the Old Testament often serve to warn but also to encourage Israel of God's faithfulness and of the coming Messiah. 
• Vv6-32: Paul poses a series of rhetorical questions exploring the value of prophecy vs speaking in tongues - coming down on the side prophecy and building up the church. 
• Vv33-35: Paul offers guidance on women's role in speaking in church.
• Vv36-40: Paul concludes the chapter by challenging those who challenge him by stating that he acknowledges he has the gift of prophecy and at the same time he knows this gift comes from God so anyone with this gift should recognize this and similarly recognized that they should not challenge Paul.  Paul's final words express a desire for the church to do things "decently and in order."  Paul's repeated use of "build" or "building" up (5x - v3,4,12, and 26) the church is key and expands on how Paul defines "decently."

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. I am not deserving of such grace and love.  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.

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Proverbs 25

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. v15

God wants us to be slow to anger and quick to listen, and to use our words wisely - to encourage others and not to tear others down.

People are to see and experience Jesus in us (and Jesus was rarely overtly angry) - and we are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who IS quick to listen, slow to anger, and abounding in love...how awesome are You! Thank You Jesus for the patience You demonstrate to me.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I am too often harsh and impatient with others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that they choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.” 1 Chronicles 23:4-5

1 Chronicles 27

“Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.” 1 Chronicles 23:4-5

1 Chronicles 23-27 details many of the duties of the temple and of other roles within the kingdom.  God provides for all of us to have roles in His Kingdom.

In 2 Peter 1:1-10, Peter encourages us to grow in our faith so that we are effective and productive i His glory.

Additional posts here encourage us to use our gifts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has created everyone uniquely with gifts where we can depend on and learn from one another.  Thank You Jesus.  You created community, church, marriage, family, etc. and we are all blessed by Your perfect design.  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry and am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

I pause both my study of Hebrews and Daniel to listen to and reflect on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional for today, where John Piper seeks to encourage believers to use Paul's words in Romans 8:32 as we struggle to "thrive, or perhaps even survive, as a Christian, in the pressures and temptations of modern life." Of course the takeaway is for us to trust God, have peace knowing that God never stops working for our good, even during the most challenging of times.  Piper goes on to share: "...God is taking every setback and every discouragement and every controversy and every pressure and every pain, and stripping it of its destructive power, and making it work for the enlargement of my joy in God." Be encouraged, trust God, and experience the peace of God knowing he gives us everything.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me everything - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You never leave or forsake me, and You are always at work giving me all that I need.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Isaiah 54-57

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Isaiah 55:3

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 3 (of 5) of week 20, which looks at Isaiah 54-57.  Day 3 once again focuses on Isaiah 55-56.  As it is discussed here, "Isaiah is the only Major Prophet whose story takes place before the fall of Jerusalem. While Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesy about these events before and while they happen, Isaiah looks into the future to see Judah’s Babylonian captivity....Isaiah’s most famous prophecies, however, concern Jesus. No other prophet is referenced in the New Testament as much as Isaiah. Isaiah preaches of the coming King who will rule Israel and the nations in justice and peace. He also looks forward to a special Servant of God: one who will fulfill all Israel’s duties and bear their sins."  Believers of today, should use Jesus as a basis to see God's faithfulness as Isaiah prophesied about Jesus well before He came to be our Messiah, and Isaiah's words of encouragement and hope for the exiled kingdom of Judah should encourage and offer us hope today as well.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are faithful!  Thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness, as I know You can never leave or forsake me and You always provide.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

 ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

This is a deeply piercing set of verses to me as I curse with my tongue far more than I praise or encourage.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are full of both encouraging and caring words designed for Your glory and for me to become more like You.  You are the standard for which I should strive in terms of my tongue and how I use it for Your glory.  I on the other hand, as James says, am full of harsh words and other unwholesome talk.  I thank You Jesus that You have blessed me, died for me, forgiven me - because I am clearly not deserving of such love.  I pray of course that You forgive me for my harm that I do with my tongue and I pray Lord Jesus that You will help me tame my tongue and use it solely for Your glory.  Purify and transform my heart and my life Lord Jesus.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. v4

Building on what I posted yesterday, the scripture today also focuses on how use of words when speaking can either build or encourage others or tear them down.  I know for myself that I have too often done the latter.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up[.] Thessalonians 5:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You are the Word and the Word is God, and Your Word is encouraging - it is light.  Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Thank You Jesus!  I cannot walk without You.  Yet I often am not a light unto others and I tear people down.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and lead them to You to be their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.