[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8

[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:9

I completed my study of Proverbs for the week, where I examined chapter 8. Today, the commentary focuses on how chapter 8:

•  portrays "wisdom [as]...integrally present at creation...[and how it] points to the eternal Son of God"
•  describes wisdom, and thereby Jesus Christ, as "the way to life...and to miss her is to love death" (v35-36)
• describes wisdom and how "God wove wisdom into the created order so that it would function as coherent system...those who submit to God and His ways-the wise-are able to participate in the rationality at the heart of created things" (v9)

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You provide Your Words - wisdom - and You give me ears to hear and eyes to see so that I can understand and have life. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your Word.  It is more valuable than silver and gold.  Again I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

Proverbs 8

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:26-27

I continued my study of Proverbs, moving deeper into chapter 8. Today, the questions of my study focus one how wisdom is an attribute of God, how wisdom (God's Word) is more valuable than any earthly treasure, and how humility and a desire to please God drive us into His arms to seek Him and His wisdom. The commentary for this chapter of my study includes thoughts on how God offers wisdom to the undeserving, rewards and blessings for those who seek wisdom, and life and favor to those who find God.  The commentary also includes a discussion of how gates, throughout scripture, served to separated those who believe in God and those who do not. John Piper reminds us how, with Christ, we have direct access to the Father - what a comfort and encouragement!  Be encouraged!  Go to God in prayer!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great - gossip, etc. and it continues.  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. 

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Proverbs 8

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34

Today, I resumed my study of Proverbs, looking closely at chapter 8. The first five questions of my study focus on how God makes wisdom easy to access, understand, and follow - as long as we seek wisdom.  The questions also focus on how wisdom instills a hatred of evil and on how it provides practical benefits in our day-to-day lives. Yet core to obtaining wisdom is found in a desire to seek it and to value it.  Wisdom, in Proverbs 8 (per my study) is described as an attribute of God's character.  We must go to God daily, watching at His gates and waiting beside His doors. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are more valuable than silver and gold and worthy of my life as a living sacrifice - I know I exist to glorify You and You are worthy.  You are the Creator and my personal Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me daily.  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.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4-5

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I continued a pause of my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how we endure the many trials in our lives which we inevitably will face (see also John 16:33), and how we endure the toll these many trials will take on us physically and emotionally. John Piper points to Paul's letter to the church in Corinth and how he looks to the things unseen (heaven) and how our faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) helps us endure.  Piper also shares with us how we rely on the same light that gave us ears to hear and eyes to see when God gave us our salvation (2 Corinthians 4:6).  We should be encouraged to endure.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me eyes to see, ears to hear, and my faith and salvation. Thank You Jesus for this light.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great - gossip, among them - and it continues.  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.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11

I paused my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on lust. Here, Piper provides a stern warning to believers to make war with lust as it deserves such a posture as we can lose our salvation over such sin.  More so, Piper provides Colossians 3:5-6 as another text to support this view - here Paul describes that God's wrath is coming "on account" of "sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."  We are to take these sins seriously and as an example of the seriousness, Piper provides Matthew 5:29, where in the context of lust (Matthew 5:27-28) Jesus urges us to gouge out one of our eyes over such "wandering."  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You have helped me with my battle over sin, including lust - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for sanctifying me and for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of such love, compassion and grace.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me.  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.

...[B]ecause he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 51-53

...[B]ecause he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5c of Lesson 19, I complete my review of Isaiah 53 with a reference to a number of  a number of verses that describe the manner of Jesus death - that He died in humility, with two criminals - one on either side of Him. He was willing to be beaten, mocked, "numbered with transgressors," and ultimately crucified - although He did nothing wrong.  He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins - that we could have life...in abundance now and for eternity with Him.  Amazing grace!  We must model such humility, and we are to reflect on how Jesus died and THAT He did...even though He did nothing wrong and lived a spotless life. 

Scripture references include: Daniel 9:26, 1 Peter 2:2, Luke 22:37. 

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace.  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 he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5b of Lesson 19, my focus moves to Isaiah 53 we see as clear a picture of the gospel - albeit as prophecy of Jesus during Isaiah's day - as we see anywhere in scripture. We all sin, we all need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.  Jesus, led a sinless life and willingly laid down His life for all of humanity, bearing all of our sin as a sacrifice, and in so doing, drank the cup of wrath meant for us.  This sacrifice gave us forgiveness of sin.  Jesus did not stop there of course, He rose from the grave, is seated in Heaven and saving a place for those believe and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Indeed - the greatest gift of all time!

Thank You Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me the greatest gift of all time - my salvation.  Of course I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

Isaiah 51-53

As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:14-15

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5a of Lesson 19, my focus is again on Isaiah 52:13-15. Here, we have a clear portrait and prophecy of Jesus - the coming Messiah.  Yet, at the time, much of Israel did not recognize Jesus as promised King.  Nevertheless, a remnant did and Jesus built His church on them, including Peter.  God revealed Himself and gave understanding to believers - that they may see and understand.  All believers should be clear that our faith is a gift.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who gave me my salvation and faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my hear, 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.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

I paused again on my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on "How to Defy Sinful Desire."  Piper first starts by contrasting sinful desire as offering only "fleeting pleasure" vs the lasting and permanent joy of Jesus Christ.  He then offers several scripture examples that arm us to defy sin and point us to this more lasting and permanent joy:

• It is better to gouge out my eye than to lust (Matthew 5:29).
• If I think about things that are pure and lovely and excellent, the peace of God will be with me (Philippians 4:8–9).
• Setting the mind on the flesh brings death, but setting the mind on the Spirit brings life and peace (Romans 8:6).
• Lust wages war against my soul (1 Peter 2:11), and that the pleasures of this life choke out the life of the Spirit (Luke 8:14).
• God withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11), and that the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). 

I also understand how the sanctification process works and reflect on Romans 12:2 where Paul describes how God transforms us by renewing our mind - this renewing of the mind occurs as we grow closer to God and our thoughts turn to pleasing Him vs self. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into my life and my heart and for the sanctification process as You help me defy sin.  I am not deserving of how You love me in this way or any other way - my sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus of my sin today and help me overcome and turn from it 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.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11

I paused once more on my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which builds on my post yesterday where the daily devotion focused on how we can battle discouragement.  Today the devotion focuses on how "preaching to self" is a powerful method to fight discouragement and despondency. Piper refers to Martin Lloyd-Jones' book Spiritual Depression and how we are prone to listen to the self-doubting statements that swirl about our heads from the moment we wake in the morning.  Lloyd-Jones encourages us to "talk [preach] to ourselves" vs "listening to ourselves."  Piper writes that: "[t]his is what the psalmist does in Psalm 42. The psalmist preaches to his troubled soul. He scolds himself and argues with himself. And his main argument is future grace: 'Hope in God! Trust in what God will be for you in the future. A day of praise is coming. The presence of the Lord will be all the help you need. And he has promised to be with us forever.'"

We should be encouraged to battle the chatter in our heads - trust in God, believe in Him, fight back, and use scripture and the Holy Spirit!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I know You love me and You are for me and You never leave or forsake me.  You also provide the Holy Spirit, the church, Your Word, and my brothers and sisters in Christ - all as a means for me to grow in my faith to endure and be a light.  Thank You Jesus!  I am encouraged!  Yet I am not deserving of Your grace...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.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever....The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul....He leads me beside still waters....He restores my soul.

Psalm 73, 19, and 23

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever....The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul....He leads me beside still waters....He restores my soul. Psalm 73:26, 19:7, and 23:23

I paused once again on my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on battling discouragement. John Piper uses several Psalms as examples to show how "[t]he Bible is replete with instances of saints struggling with sunken spirits" and how we can draw on the Bible as they did to battle discouragement. Piper provides the following examples from Psalms: 73:26, 19:7, and 23:2-3. 

I needed encouragement - thank You Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of love, compassion and grace for me - and You encourage me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me and how You encourage me.  My sin is great - anxiety - and it continues, as well as other sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus - help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  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.

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant[.]

Psalm 86

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant[.] Psalm 86:16

Because I did not wake early enough to give God my first fruits of undistracted time this morning - I am coming back during my day to commune with my God and to (1) seek my forgiveness, (2) gain strength and daily sustenance. Listening to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, I reflect on John Piper's words and on the words of the psalmist who in Piper's words "give us a beautiful model of daily dependence on future grace for every exigency."  Piper lays out several examples of the psalmists dependence on future grace:

• They cry out for grace when they need help: “Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10).
• When they are weak: “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant” (Psalm 86:16)
• When they need healing: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord” (Psalm 6:2).
• When they are afflicted by enemies: “Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me” (Psalm 9:13).
• When they are lonely: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16).
• When they are grieving: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief” (Psalm 31:9).
• When they have sinned: “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4).
• When they long for God’s name to be exalted among the nations: “God be gracious to us and bless us . . . that your way may be known on earth” (Psalm 67:1–2).

These are all circumstances I have faced.  I also need my "bread" daily - see Matthew 6:9-13.  I cannot exist without Christ as He provides for all of my needs, saves me and gives life now (abundantly) and for eternity.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a great God that pours out blessings to me daily and I desperately need them.  Thank You Jesus for how You provide for all of my needs and for how You save and sanctify.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and daily - including failing to give You my first fruits.  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.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 4 of Lesson 19, my focus is on Isaiah 52:13-15 through chapter 53. Clearly, this text focuses on Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus - the coming Messiah.  My commentary shares the following divisions for this text:

1. Christ repulsive but redemptive then exalted (52:13-15)
2. Christ the "Arm of the Lord" but human and despised (53:1-3)
3. Christ rejected but our atoning substitute (53:4-6)
4. Christ innocent but willing to be slaughtered (53:7-9)
5. Christ crushed so we could be justified (53:10-12)

The commentary then describes and debunks alternative views how "Israel is the suffering servant" using both Isaiah 53:8 where the text states that He was "stricken for the transgression of my people" - Israel was the transgressor not the suffering servant who was struck and pierced - Jesus was.  The commentary then uses Acts 8, where Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch who is reading Isaiah 53:7-8 and asks for help understanding the text - who is this prophet that is the subject of the text? Philip then unequivocally shares (Acts 8:35) the Good News of Jesus Christ. The commentary then proceeds to states that "the central message of Isaiah 53 is substitutionary atonement. This was the central message of the whole animal sacrificial system, that the blood of a substitute can remove the death penalty for sin." Just as Israel needed animal sacrifice to approach God (Leviticus 16:21 per the commentary), all of us needed Jesus to die on the cross for us to be reconciled to God.  The commentary then bluntly states: "[t]hough this transfer of guilt is mysterious, God claims the right to do it, and without it we have no hope."  Believers must reflect on this and let it sink in - our only hope is Jesus and because of what He did for us on the cross.  Reflect on this and be grateful because we are NOT deserving as all of us sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God - I was hostile and an enemy to You but You loved me first and died for me so that I could have life both abundantly now and forever with You in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving!  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 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.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11

I pause today from my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion.  Here, John Piper refers to how our spiritual gifts, as varied as they are, are poured out as "future grace" in that "[a]s you serve, serve in the power of the ongoing supply of God’s grace to do what you need to do....God goes on, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, supplying the “strength” in which we minister. He does this because the ongoing, inexhaustible supplier of power gets the glory." Let us not just acknowledge our spiritual gifts, but also be encouraged to use them and leverage the supplies of strength God gives us for His glory. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen the miracle of Your grace poured out in my life and in the lives of others through the use of spiritual gifts.  You are amazing and I am grateful that even though You don't need me, You love me, saved me, and You continue to work in and through me for both my good and Your glory. 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.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Isaiah 51-53

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - on Day 3 of Lesson 19, I move on to Isaiah 52. The focus of this chapter is salvation - both for Israel in exile, but also for all nations as v10 states the "eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God" - a clear reference to Jesus Christ.  The study refers me back to Romans 10:1-15 where Isaiah is quoted in v15, referencing how Jesus and the Holy Spirit are used through believers to bring the Good News of Jesus to all.  In Romans 10:14-15 Paul asks - rhetorically - "how are [non-believers] to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless [believers]...are sent?"  God wants all of us the spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who sent His Son to die on the cross for me so that I could have salvation - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation - my sins are great and they continue...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.

For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Isaiah 51-53

For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. Isaiah 51:3

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - on Day 2 of Lesson 19, I once again focus - more deeply this time - on Isaiah 51. My commentary shares the following divisions for this chapter:

1. Listen to Me! The God of Abraham will again create righteousness from nothing (v1-6)
2. Listen to Me! The God of the Exodus will again make a way for His people (v7-11)
3. How dare you fear man more than Me? Through you I will establish eternity (v12-16)
4. Wake Up! The time has come for your tormentors to fall (v17-23)

The commentary then notes the following applications:

1. Listen to the Word of the Lord and feed our hearts on His past achievements in scripture so that we may be filled with a powerful hope, no matter how bleak the circumstances.
2. We should learn to fear God and obey Him more than we fear human beings, no matter how threatening or powerful they appear.
3. We should fully embrace the future this chapter clearly unfolds: for the present universe, total destruction; for the believers, a new heaven and new earth in which they will worship God eternally in joy; for the wicked tormentors, a cup of wrath.  These themes should strongly color the way we live every day-pursuing righteousness in the fear of the Lord and seeking to deliver the prisoners held by chains of sin.

In particular, I am struck by application #1 and #2 and rest in Isiah 51:3 where God reminds us of how He comforts us and turns our wilderness circumstances into Eden - and we can find joy and gladness in Him, no matter our circumstances.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I trust in You for You turn all of wilderness experiences into Eden and You have redeemed me from the bondage of sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation....the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”

Isaiah 51-53

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” Isaiah 51:7-8

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 19 - which focuses on Isaiah 51-53. This morning, my focus is Isaiah 51 where we see messianic prophecies and the grace of God who is SO FULL of compassion and patience for Israel...and ultimately all of humanity, providing His Son Jesus Christ as a path for forgiveness and eternal life (v8).  Several times in this chapter as well we are warned by God not to fear man nor place our hope in the world as this world will wither away and only Jesus and His Kingdom will last forever. See both v7-8 and v12-13.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of grace, compassion and patience for me. Your Kingdom also lasts forever while this world will not last - and it is in You that I place my hope and this gives me great comfort and peace - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God...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. 

Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.

Isaiah 47-50

Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. Isaiah 50:4-5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 5, which focuses on Isaiah 50. My commentary shares the following divisions for this chapter:

1. A nation (Israel) who refused to listen is sent into exile (v1-3)
2. A servant (Christ) who perfectly listened is sent as savior (v4-9)
3. A key question: will you listen to the Servant or to yourself (v10-11)

The commentary highlights how "every morning the Father would waken the Son and pour words of instruction into his ready ear. The New Testament gives ample evidence of how this was worked out in Jesus’s life. Mark 1:35 tells us of Jesus’s habit of getting up very early in the morning and going to a deserted place where he would pray." We, as believers, are called to imitate (through faith and how faith brings about obedience) Christ, and as a result just as He modeled daily prayer and quiet time, we must do the same.

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God and only You can save and redeem - thank You Jesus for my salvation!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

This morning, I paused on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to and reflect on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, where John Piper looks at Galatians 6:8 and "how force will move us out of our contented living rooms to take upon ourselves the inconveniences and suffering that love [of God and others] requires?" He looks at what it means to "sow to the Spirit." He writes: "[w]e want more of God. And we want this more than we want our private, disturbance-free security and comfort. Faith loves to rely on God and see him work miracles in us. Therefore, faith pushes us into the current where the power of God’s future grace flows most freely — the current of love."  We as believers should push ourselves (lean into God, study, prayer, spiritual disciplines, etc.) and ask God for this kind of faith and for us to bear fruit.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me, and You provide the Holy Spirit to work in me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the blessings You pour out for me and for how You give me the Holy Spirit as my Helper.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Isaiah 47-50

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 4b, which includes a focus on Isaiah 49:14-26 and a review of the entire chapter.  My commentary shares the following divisions for this chapter:

1. Christ unveiled as God's salvation to the ends of the earth (v1-7)
2. God's day of salvation for the exiles (v8-13)
3. Despite all appearances, the exiles will return (v14-21)
4. The Gentiles will aid the redemption of Israel or be destroyed (v22-26)

In particular, the commentary for v14-21, strikes a chord this morning as believers may grow weary not seeing the fruit of their labor in sowing seeds for the Kingdom: "[t]he kingdom of God will always appear underwhelming and somewhat disappointing in this present age compared to the grandeur of the King and the perfection of the promises he has made to us. So pastors, missionaries, evangelists, parents, and Christian laborers of all types will have to battle discouragement constantly when the results are far less than we feel they should be....But don’t be deceived. When we are finally in the heavenly Zion, we will be amazed at the stunning multitude of the redeemed there."  Of course, then a key takeaway is to persist in sharing the Good News and doing the work of Christ...keep running the race and do not grow weary.

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My prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who never leaves or forsakes me and who ALWAYS provides - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  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.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!

Isaiah 47-50

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! Isaiah 49:13

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 4a, which focuses on Isaiah 49:1-13. Having already started a study of Isaiah 49 within this lesson on day 3, and having reviewed my commentary on this chapter, I now recognize Jesus as being the key speaker in Isaiah 49:1-13. In 8-13, we see Jesus as:

• answering/helping us (v8)
  
• as a covenant to the people (v8)
  
• establishing the land (v8)
  
• freeing prisoners from sin/bondage (v9)
  
• feeding us (both spiritually/physically) (v9)
  
• not hungering or thirsting (including spiritually/physically) (v10)
  
• protected (v10)
  
• led/shepherded (v10)
  
• provides a path to God (v11)
  
• comforts and has compassion on us (v13)

My commentary describes how Jesus is praised by the "heavens and earth [v13], set free at last from decay [Romans 8:19]."  For this and more, we should recognize Jesus as worthy of praise, honor and glory forever and ever! (1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 5:13, 7:12).  Our lives should reflect such praise, honor, and glory - Romans 12:1.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory, forever and ever!  I am not deserving of the love and blessings You pour out for me - daily.  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 energy.  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.

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Matthew 7

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ Matthew 7:22

I extended for one more day a pause on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  John Piper's devotion today examines how Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, warns us against a works-orientation that demonstrates pride, "self-direction, self-reliance, and self-exaltation....[Piper goes on to state that] "[i]n all of this, the basic satisfaction of the works-orientation is the savor of being an assertive, autonomous, and, if possible, triumphant self."   Instead, Piper encourages us to demonstrate a faith-orientation that "longs for the joy of seeing God glorified for his capability and strength and wisdom and grace."

We must remember that all that we have and do is a gift from God and that we exist to glorify Him. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know that all that I have and all that I am able to do is only because of You.  You provide for all of my needs and I know You work in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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 heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Matthew 26 and Hebrews 12

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18

I extended a pause on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  John Piper's devotion today examines how Jesus battled depression (using the night before He went to the cross as the example) and Piper urges us to avoid unbelief and not putting up a spiritual battle.  Using Matthew 26:37-39 and Hebrews 12:2, he points to six ways that we can use to put up a spiritual battle:

1. He chose some close friends to be with him. “Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee” (Matthew 26:37).
2. He opened his soul to them. He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38).
3. He asked for their intercession and partnership in the battle. “Remain here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).
4. He poured out his heart to his Father in prayer. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39).
5. He rested his soul in the sovereign wisdom of God. “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
6. He fixed his eye on the glorious future grace that awaited him on the other side of the cross. “For the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

Note how three of the six related to other people and the other three, of course, relate to God.  God should be first.  God will then point to and connect us to others who will help us in the battle.  Saturate yourself with God and surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who will help you in the battle.  

From the very beginning - Genesis 2 - we hear from God how "it is not good that man should be alone." I have fought the battle of depression and I know this for sure.  Take Piper's words to heart.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who has given me Your Son, the Holy Spirit, Your Word, and brothers and sisters in Christ who arm me in the battle against this world and depression - 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.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

I pause on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  John Piper's devotion today examines how we are to view our own state of being forgiven of our sins by God, and how this should drive believers to love and forgive others.  John 13:34 writes how Jesus commands us "to love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." And here we have Ephesians 4:32 where Jesus commands us to forgive others as God forgave us.  Piper writes how we cannot love and forgive others as Jesus does for us if we simply view our salvation and His forgiveness of our sins as being "off the hook." Piper explains it by stating "[i]t means savoring the truth that a forgiving God is the most precious reality in the universe. Saving faith cherishes being forgiven by God, and from there rises to cherishing the God who forgives — and all that he is for us in Jesus. This experience has a tremendous effect on our becoming forgiving people."

God, please help me see You, the forgiving God, as the most precious reality in the universe.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of love and forgiveness for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive of my sin for not going to You first today - 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.

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 47-50

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 3, which focuses on Isaiah 49. My commentary offers the following divisions for this chapter:

1. Christ unveiled as God's Salvation to the ends of the earth (v1-7)
2. God's day of salvation for the exiles (v8-13)
3. Despite all appearances, the exiles will return (v14-21)
4. The Gentiles will aid the redemption of Israel or be destroyed (v22-26)

For today, my focus is on the first two divisions.  It is difficult to not see how this chapter is not about Jesus because in v6 God says that He will "make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."  Only Jesus does this.  The commentary describes the verses here - in their broader context - as "an immeasurably deep conversation between the Father and the Son concerning Jesus’s glorious mission on earth. Here God the Father tells the Son that it is insufficient glory for him to be merely the Savior of the Jews." God will not only free the exiles in Babylonia, but all those who are imprisoned in sin - the whole of humanity.  V9-10 states that God will give Jesus to the world, 

"...saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them." Isaiah 49:9-10

We must take time to acknowledge how - with God - we will never hunger or thirst, we will have Him as our refuge, and He will guide us.  We must live boldly considering how God will lead us.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who will never leave or forsake me, You provide for all of my needs, You are my refuge, and You guide me - thank You Jesus for these blessings and for my faith and salvation.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it is 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. 

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.”

Isaiah 47-50

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!  Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.” Isaiah 48:17-19

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 2, which focuses on Isaiah 48. My commentary offers the following divisions for this chapter:

1. The sovereign God predicts and works history to win His stubborn people (v1-8)
2. The patient God refines His people for His glory and our benefit (v9-11)
3. The eternal God will bring Cyrus to achieve His purpose (v12-16)
4. The loving God will send another to redeem His people (v16-22)

All believers can identify to some degree as "obstinate" (v4) in one or more areas of their life, but we have a God that is full of grace and compassion for us - saving us DESPITE what we do and who are. God's words to us in v17-19 are all the more special as we recognize how once we became believers we see the truth in these verses. I see four blessings and promises of God as a result of faith and trust in God: (a) God leads us, (b) He gives us peace, (c) many descendants, and (d) He never leaves or forsakes us

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, and who is full of grace and compassion for me - despite who I am and what I have done (and will continue to do).  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You for the gift of faith and salvation.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  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. 

Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name—is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47-50

Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name—is the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 47:4

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 1, which focuses on Isaiah 47.  Here, God is describing impending punishment for Babylon, which we know from previous chapters comes about through God's orchestration of an attack from the Medo-Persian armies led by Cyrus of Persia. The study asks how might Israelites at the time have felt about this prophecy.  For me, the obvious thought is that the Israelites might gain a measure and hope that God is just - and of course He is. God's justice is perfect!  God seeks for all to be saved, but there are those who reject and refuse God. Believers are not spared suffering nor consequences of our sins, but we should recognize that we don't get what we deserve (death) as described in Romans 6:23; instead we get mercy! We get what we don't deserve, but don't get what we do deserve!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are just and merciful among Your many attributes - worthy of honor, glory and praise - forever and forever!  I am not deserving of the mercy You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it is 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.