[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I continue with Ephesians 4, focusing on v1-16. As I posted yesterday, unity within the church is a primary theme as Paul seeks to keep the church in Ephesus on mission - all working together towards the same end, which is to spread the gospel.  John Piper, digs deeper here, and writes that this text from Paul's letter to the Ephesians is urging us to participate in small groups as a core and necessary component of our church experience - we cannot simply attend church just on Sundays as God intends so much more for us as a church body. He leans heavily on v16, which starts in v15 where believers are urged to "[speak] truth in love, [and] grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ" and then Piper uses the text to explain how God sees us "growing up."  He collapses v16 to show that God wants "the whole body" to "[make] the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  Piper then goes on to write how "grace given to each one of us" (v7-8) enables this body to minister to itself, thereby not relying on entirely on church staff to do all the work.  Piper closes his message with this: "So what verse 16 means when it says that 'the whole body causes the growth of the body' when 'each individual part is working properly,' it means that all the members have gifts, and all of those gifts are to be used in building up the body 'in love.' And this is how Christ, the all-supplying, supernatural Head of the body, builds and cares for his church." Speaking for myself, I know that I need a small group experience as part of my church life.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me brothers and sisters in Christ from whom I am encouraged, supported, loved, etc. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move on to Ephesians 4, which focuses on church unity.  This is a very important theme as the mission of the church (locally and globally) is of course negatively impacted by tensions, conflict, and a failure to heed to gospel-centered teaching - John Piper provides a good definition of Christian unity here. In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul emphasizes a few themes to drive unity - these themes include how although each of us are different and our spiritual gifts are different, God knits us together as a church and body of Christ (v16). We are encouraged to build each other up, not tear one another down, and to put away "bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander...[and] all malice."  Instead we are urged to "[b]e kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.

Isaiah 64-66

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. Isaiah 65:19

This morning I completed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, as today marks day 5 (of 5) of week 23, which examines Isaiah 64-66.  On this final day (at least for now) of my examination of Isaiah, I start with a look back at the entirety of Isaiah, and how it presents a complete portrait of the gospel and all of redemptive history.  With this video (part 1 of 2) from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, I better understand this portrait as the speaker shares that: "the book of Isaiah tells the entire redemption story. The literary shape of this book is one story from creation to the new creation through the redemptive work that is personal and comprehensive[.]"  We see multiple cycles of sin, judgement, and redemption and renewal. Today, I also think back and reflect on Isaiah's role in prophecies that range from Judah's captivity, its redemption and renewal, the coming Messiah (Jesus), and ultimately, prophecies of the end times that will bring about a New Heaven and New Earth where all of God's saved - the remnant - will live in eternity in glorious praise of the King of Kings Jesus Christ. This New Heaven and New Earth is described in Isaiah 65-66, as well as in 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21.  At the same time, Isaiah closes (Isaiah 66:24) with a description of the eternal damnation that awaits those who hearts are hardened and fail to submit to Him.  I am referred to several scripture passages that describe this eternal damnation (unquenchable fire, lake of fire), including: Mark 9:42-48, Matthew 3:11-12, 13:36-48, 18:8-9, 25:36-41, Jude 7, and Revelation 19:19-21, 20:11-15, and 21:8. While it is important to understand the fate that awaits those who spurn God, I am going to close on a hopeful note, which is part of how Isaiah depicts the New Heaven and New Earth (New Jerusalem as described in Isaiah 65:19). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You indeed are great and I know You are saving a place for me in Heaven - which is glorious indeed!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any blessing You pour out for me. 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.

You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.

Isaiah 64-66

You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies. Isaiah 66:14

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 4 (of 5) of week 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 4 focuses on Isaiah 66, where once again, we see contrasting outcomes for those who practice empty sacrificial rituals and do not truly seek and love God (v3-4, 15-17, 24), vs those who are contrite in heart and humble - fearing and seeking God and loving Him (v2, 10-14).  We see a messianic prophecy and of the final days, and how God's kingdom extends beyond Jerusalem to all nations to include Jews and Gentiles alike.  The outcome of course for those who forsake God is sobering indeed (v24), but believers rejoice in the hope we have in Christ! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - I am not deserving of my salvation but You saved me anyway...thank You Jesus for the hope You give me.  Yet 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.

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.

Isaiah 64-66

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. Isaiah 65:17-20

I resume 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 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 3 focuses on Isaiah 65, and here we see contrasting futures for those who forsake God vs those who seek God.  In v1-5 we see God describing those who forsake Him, even though God desires for all of humanity (starting with Israel) to seek Him as v1 says: "I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am” to a nation that was not called by my name."  This group faces a bleak and scary future of eternal damnation and destruction starting in v5-6 but also as described in v11-12 and in v13-15 (contrasted in alternating verses with God's people - the remnant that sought God and is saved by Him). In v8-10 we see how God will save a remnant and in v13-25 how these people - God's servants and those who seek Him, will be blessed.  Isaiah refers to end times here with descriptions of a new heaven and new earth (v17).  Believers be encouraged how God will bless those who seek Him!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - that You died to give me forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, Your Word, the church, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  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. 

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I maintain a pause of my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to continue my study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For my study this morning (Day 3), I remain in Ephesians 3 - with a specific focus on v14-21. As I did yesterday, I lean on DesiringGod.com Lab videos on Ephesian 3. Specifically, for this morning I watched this video from the series as John Piper describes, using the text, how Paul prays for believers (Jews and Gentiles alike) to be strengthened such that they might comprehend and grasp the breadth, height, depth, length of Christ's love, and be filled with the fullness of God.  Piper shares how this is a huge prayer as God's love and His fullness know no bounds, so to more fully comprehend these things God must provide us with supernatural powers (which He can do via the Holy Spirit).  Piper goes as far to share how such a prayer requires a miracle - which again God can do! Of course, we should understand that believers exist to glorify God so we should certainly pray this for ourselves as well as all believers!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word and the Holy Spirit so that I can more fully understand Your love and Your fullness - thank You Jesus!  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.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I maintain a pause of my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to continue my study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. Today, I move on to my study of Ephesians 3 Day 2 - with a specific focus on v8-13.  For those inclined (I recommend it), John Piper provides a 9-part series on this text via his Lab videos on DesiringGod.com. This morning, I use part 1, which Piper names "Gospel Ministry Before Angels and Demons".  Piper's core point in this video is how Paul had a cosmic purpose to reveal "the manifold wisdom of God" not just to and within the church (Jews and Gentiles - all nations), but in heavenly places so that even angels and heavenly bodies would stoop down to see God's glory and lift Him up in worship and praise. There is also a larger, eternal purpose: that our understanding of the wisdom of God would then lead us to be bold and confident in our faith, and so that - using v13 that in light of v1-12 - believers would not look at how Paul is imprisoned (or any suffering for that matter) and be strengthened and not lose heart.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - thank You for revealing the gospel to me, for giving me a heart of flesh so that I could be saved!  I am not deserving of course of this nor any blessing You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.   

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I pause my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to come back to my study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This week, we move to Ephesians 3 - with a specific focus on v1-7. As I read the entire chapter this morning, my first thought from v1-7 is how Paul emphasizes how God blesses him - Paul's humility is striking as Paul emphasizes how none of how God blessed him was of his own doing:

• grace given to him for Ephesus and Gentiles -v2, 7
  
• mystery of Christ revealed to him v4-6
• how Paul was made a minister of the gospel v7
  

A second thing that strikes me this morning is how Paul reminds us that he is in prison on behalf of the Gentiles - v1 - and how ironic this is.  Paul was of course killing Christians (the Jews who believed and were converted), and God redeems Paul for his sin and uses Paul to expand the gospel beyond the Jews - the very group Paul was seeking to keep pure!  In our earthly bodies we may not fully appreciate God's plans for our lives but we can be certain that God is able to take broken sinful people (that He created by the way) and use Him for His purpose. God's plans was to take His message - the Good News of Jesus Christ - to all the nations, and Paul was an instrumental vessel to deliver this message. 

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My Prayer: Lordn Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is able to redeem all of my life and use it for Your glory - incredible!  Thank You Jesus for the blessing of redemption, salvation, sanctification, justification, election, glorification, etc. I am not deserving of these 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.

There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

Isaiah 64-66

There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. Isaiah 64:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 2 focuses on a closer examination of Isaiah 64, which focuses on how God's people turned away from Him (v5-6), and how God gave the people over to their sins (v7). In v8 we see a more contrite people (see post yesterday) looking for mercy and compassion from God - for salvation. The broader context sees Israel and Jerusalem desolate, destroyed and a wasteland.  The temple burned and is in ruins.  For sure, God's people were in a dark place with their spiritual condition and posture towards God - their separation from God was self-inflicted due their sin - certainly futility without Christ. My study urges me to look closely at v7 and how God essentially gave the people over to their sin and how God does this so that we can be clear that their is no other place to turn but to God - He is the only one who can save.  My commentary refers me to Hebrews 10:20 as this text describes how Christ provides a "new and living way." We should all recognize how we all sin, are in need of savior and Christ the only way - see John 14:6. My study also looks at Isaiah 1:1, compares it with 39:8 and how love and fear of God leads to peace and security - 64:7 warns us not to toy around with sin as God will turn us over to our sin and this is a dangerous place indeed.

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from sin and from the wages of sin (death) - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your protection and how You provide refuge.  My sin does 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.

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Isaiah 64-66

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 1 (of 5) of week 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 1 focuses on initial observations from the entire text.  God's final judgement and end times are core themes for these chapters, so we of course see eternal damnation for the unrepentant - those whom God gave over to their sins.  We also see hope for the remnant - the elect and those whom God chose to not only hear the gospel, but also to receive the gospel and to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  God describes this remnant in Isaiah 65:8-9:

Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there. Isaiah 65:8-9

This remnant has hope as described in 65:19

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. Isaiah 65:19

God also describes how we are to respond to His Word - by humbly submitting to Him and living in fear of Him as He reigns and holds our life in His hands. See Isaiah 66:2.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You saved me.  I am undeserving of my salvation - I know it is only by Your grace that I am saved and that my faith is a gift.  Thank You Jesus!  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.

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Isaiah 61-63

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 5 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 5 focuses on a more detailed examination of how Isaiah 63 depicts judgement day.  My study includes comparisons of Isaiah 63 to Isaiah 61:2, 59:15-16, Joel 3:9-17, Zechariah 14:1-19, Revelation 14:14-20, and 19:11-16.  My study urges me, and all believers to live a holy, Godly life, maintaining faith and trust in God as I prepare for judgement day.  Isaiah 63:7 helps in this regard by constantly reminding myself of all the blessings God has poured out for me - and His steadfast love and compassion. My study also refers me to 2 Peter 3:11-12 as preparation for judgement day:

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father Jesus, You are an amazing God and You are judge and justice - and Your justice is perfect and You are perfect in all of Your ways.  We cannot fully appreciate Your ways and thoughts and know as we live an earthly life, but we can rest knowing that You alone are our refuge, now and forevermore!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love, grace, and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Isaiah 61-63

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 4 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 4 focuses on observations of Isaiah 63.  My commentary describes the main idea of this chapter (which the commentary groups with 64:1-12 as well) as "God’s passionate response to sin, both in wrath for the nations and discipline for his people, [and how such a response] should call forth persistent and fervent prayer from God’s people."  The commentary describes how this chapter is a foretaste of end times, describes an "intercessor," and  includes the following divisions:

• The intercessor recounts the Lord’s history of love (63:7-9). 
• The intercessor confesses sin (63:10). 
• The intercessor prays based on the Lord’s history (63:11-16). 
• The intercessor laments over the Lord’s disciplines (63:17-19). 
• The intercessor pleads for God to descend (64:1-5a).
  

We all sin and need a Savior, and our prayers should never cease to thank Him for His amazing grace, and for His help to become more like Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love knows no bounds for me and whose grace is amazing indeed!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...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.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 2

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I continue my pause of a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, I maintain a focus on Ephesians 2 as I review the following videos - Ephesians 2:1-3 - Part II and Part III - from DesiringGod.com.  Part II focuses on our pre-conversion spiritual condition - "dead" as v1 indicates. Piper wants all believers, regardless of when and how we came to faith, and how we may recall our pre-conversion life, to fully appreciate that ALL of us were spiritually dead.  Yes there is activity and non-believers may indicate that what the world defines as life exists, but this life is a hopeless condition that leads to eternal damnation (sons of disobedience, children of wrath - v2-3).  Piper elaborates - using 2 Corinthians 4:4, and Ephesians 4:17-18 - how even very smart unbelievers are "spiritually blinded", in darkness, and how their hearts are hardened to seeing the glory of God in the gospel. Part III builds on Part II to further define our pre-conversion spiritual condition of "deadness." He reminds us - using Romans 3:23, 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 143:2, and 1 John 1:8 - that not a single person amongst all of humanity is without sin. He then uses Ephesians 5:6-8 (darkness), Ezekiel 36:26 (hardened heart), and Romans 8:5-9 (unable to submit to God), 1 Corinthians 2:14 (unable to accept nor understand gospel) to elaborate and further detail our "deadness" before and without Christ.  Clear applications this morning are for believers to be humble and recognize God's amazing grace, for without Christ we would all continue to walk in darkness - not a life any of us wants.

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My Prayer: Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You saved me from my spiritual deadness!  Thank You Jesus - what amazing grace this is!  Of course, I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Gossip, 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.  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 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 2

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I continue my pause of a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus stays on Ephesians 2 as I deepen my understanding of this text. The resources for this morning include videos from DesiringGod.com where John Piper breaks down Ephesians 2.  The first video, describes the "dreadful" spiritual condition in which we all found each other - Jews, Gentiles, and all of humanity - fallen, dead in our sins, and heading towards damnation...before our conversion and salvation.  This video is part of a ten-part series on Ephesians 2.  In the first video, Piper seeks to have believers understand the big picture of v1-11, and he uses the subsequent videos to deconstruct the parts that make-up the whole (big picture) so that we see both the big picture and how the details support the whole.  Core to the big picture is God's grace (v5, 8), how we are to be humble in light of this grace (v9), and the grace working in us is designed to bring glory to Him to show the world (v7, 10). The second video focuses on Ephesians 2:1-3 and how we should recognize the importance of the "union" and "commonality" of how ALL of humanity (Jews, Gentiles, all nations, etc.) was dead in our sins prior to Christ but are now redeemed and a new creation in Christ. Piper describes that the implications of this union and commonality include how this should drive unity in how we relate to others, with examples such as how we share the gospel to all nations, and how we come together as a global church. W hat's interesting is how our world focuses on diversity and how we should embrace our differences.  The problem with this approach is that it assumes to a large extent that a focus on diversity in and of itself will drive unity.  Here, in Ephesians 2, we have a prescription on HOW unity allows us to embrace diversity.

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who poured out amazing grace for me - giving me new life, now and forevermore.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace...my sin is great and it continues...including focus on worldly comforts and pleasures.  Please forgive me Jesus for my love of the world!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 2

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I pause my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus is Ephesians 2, my initial observations, and scripture memorization of v4-5. As I unpack the letter (and further my understanding of it) Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates "[i]t is likely that the gospel was first brought to Ephesus by Priscilla and Aquila, an exceptionally gifted couple (see Acts 18:26) who were left there by Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18, 19)."  Additional commentary from MacArthur reinforces what Chuck Swindoll indicates, that "Paul spent the first three chapters of the letter discussing God’s creation of a holy community by His gift of grace in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ", and how "Paul divided his letter to the Ephesians into two clear segments; applying the truths of the first makes possible the actions and lifestyle of the second."  In Ephesians 2, there are two divisions: (1) how believers' salvation brings about new life in Christ (v1-10), and (2) how Christ removed all obstacles (including circumcision, works, obedience to the ceremonial law, etc.) to faith for all nations vs just Israel, and how both Gentiles and Israel are one in the eyes of God (v11-22).  Core to this chapter is v4-5, and we should meditate on these verses, be humbled by them, and rejoice in the truth of the grace we have in Christ!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has poured out Your life so that I could be a new creation and have new life in You!  Thank You Jesus!  How humbling - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of course - my sin is great and it continues...daily, including pursuit of comfort.  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.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.

Isaiah 61-63

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.  Isaiah 62:6-7

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 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 3 focuses on initial observations of Isaiah 62.  This chapter looks forward to end times when Jesus will come again and how the church must be prepared - saving as many as possible.  This commentary assists with observations and applications, including:

• to pursue with relentless passion the work of the church; this forces believers to be holy ourselves (1 Peter 1:15) as we are "challenge[d] to be just as zealous for the holiness of other Christians, to be energetic in the work of the church"; the challenge here is "to love the Bridegroom with undivided love, to put away all idols and worldly affections."
• leaders are challenged to "oversee the doctrinal and practical lives of the flock" and to practice "relentless intercession" on behalf of the church and others; leaders should not grow weary
• we are encouraged to see the "missionary thrust" of this chapter as the church is called to build a path for the world to approach God as its Savior (v10)

This morning's reading has convicted me greatly as I know there is work ahead of me to ceaselessly support the work of the church.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me - You give me the Holy Spirit so that I have strength to carry on with Your mission - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great - pursuit of idle comfort vs Your mission - 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 Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.]

Isaiah 61-63

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.] Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 2 focuses on a more detailed examination of Isaiah 61. Core to an examination of Isaiah 61 is how we see a prophecy of not just Israel's redemption from Assyria (who took northern kingdom captive during the middle of Isaiah's ministry) and Babylon (who took the southern kingdom captive well after the end of Isaiah's ministry), but also a Messianic prophecy and how Jesus Christ comes to redeem all of humanity from their sins. My study refers me to Luke 4:13-21, and urges a comparison to Isaiah 61:1-2.  This comparison reveals that in Luke 4, Jesus is early in His ministry and in Nazareth reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue.  Jesus reads everything from Isaiah 61:1-2 except how the anointed one will proclaim vengeance.  This is important because Jesus's ministry was not one that was expected in terms of a an earthly conquering king, but of a King who's mission was to defeat sin and death, and to provide hope and salvation for all of humanity, not just Israel.

It is important for us to recognize how vengeance is the Lord's - He is the judge.  This should both give us fear (in our own lives for the sin we commit) and peace (that others will face justice for the sins they commit). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is Judge - this should serve as a preservative for me to not commit sin, and as peace that all will be repaid for the sin they commit.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings.  I am not deserving of Your Justice, grace, salvation, etc. 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.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

Isaiah 61-63

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Isaiah 60:10-11

I return to my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 1 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 1 starts with initial observations of Isaiah 61.  Stepping back and looking broadly at Isaiah, this commentary shares how the book serves as a "miniature Bible" with the first 39 chapters focusing on "judgement upon immoral and idolatrous men" and with the final 27 chapters "declar[ing] a message of hope" - Isaiah is 66 chapters just as the Bible is with 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.  This commentary shares that during the middle Isaiah's ministry (722 B.C.), the northern kingdom is taken captive by Assyria, and Isaiah prophecies how Judah - the southern kingdom will be taken captive by Babylon (see also this chart and this history) as the former will be absorbed by the latter.  Isaiah 61 seeks to comfort the afflicted captives, again described by this commentary how:

• the promised Messiah comes on a mission of blessing and vengeance (v1-3, 1-11)
• the Messiah's mission transforms Israel's status among the nations-distinct roles for both Gentile nations and Israel in the Redeemer's mission (v4-9)
• the mission of Messiah brings great joy for its righteousness and fruitfulness (v10-11)

Isaiah's words offer great comfort and hope for believers, particularly for the afflicted and suffering. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves us and who never leaves or forsakes us - offering comfort and hope.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and 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. 

...[S]o that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2

...[S]o that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

This morning I attended my Disciple (D) Group that grew out of my church's Men's Wake Up Call gatherings. Our focus over the next six weeks is Ephesians. This morning we discussed Ephesians 1, and of course, not by accident this was also covered by Pastor Dave during MS/HS gathering this past Sunday (which I attend with Dustin).  I am getting a review of Ephesians from multiple angles as I reviewed it again today by listening to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion for today, which looks at Ephesians 2:7 and where John Piper uses Luke 12:35-37 to explain why this passage of scripture shows the coming Messiah as a servant vs how we expect to see God during end times which is as a conquering king: "[b]ecause the very heart of [God's] glory is the fullness of grace that overflows in kindness to needy people. This is why Ephesians 2:7 says he aims “in the coming ages [to] show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."  Believers of course recognize how Jesus served during His ministry on earthy but Piper wants us to understand that "[t]here is no other god like this. He never relinquishes the role of inexhaustible benefactor of his ever-dependent, happy people."  Once again be encouraged by how great our God is and that He loves us and is SO full of grace for us!

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My Prayer: Lord Je sus, You are an awesome God who is rich in grace and kindness towards me - inexhaustibly so!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues....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.  

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I continue my pause of a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, as I alternate the Isaiah study with a study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus is Ephesians 1 again, with a specific focus as well on v15-23. Building on my post yesterday, and leaning on this commentary from Chuck Swindoll, Paul seeks for the church  in Ephesus (and all believers who follow) to fully appreciate the spiritual blessings of the inheritance we gain as children of God (adopted by Him).  This morning the text Paul praises God for the faith of the church in Ephesus and prays for them (v16-17), and Paul, through prayer, seeks for the church in Ephesus to: fully appreciate and grasp the hope they should have and the riches of their inheritance, which he defines as the "immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe, according to the working of His great might" (v18-19). Paul then goes on to further elaborate on God's might "that He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" (v20-21).  Finally, Paul wraps the chapter by describing how God reigns over all, including the church, which is described as "his body, the fullness of him who fills in all."  Of course, again, these are words all believers should take to heart and in so doing be encouraged and act boldly (supernaturally with Christ working through us) in light this encouragement. All of this should be understood in the context of where Paul is when he writes this letter - he is in prison in Rome!  Encouragement indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who adopted me as a child of God and in so doing blesses me with an incredible inheritance that cannot be taken from me. Thank You Jesus!  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.  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 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I pause my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus is Ephesians 1 in its entirety, with a specific focus as well on v1-14.  Chuck Swindoll provides this excellent overview of the book, and he describes how Paul writes this letter to the church in Ephesus from prison in Rome and how unlike other letters he has authored where he seeks to address a specific problem in a local church, here Paul is laying down foundational truths of the gospel with an eye towards encouraging growth and maturity of believers in Ephesus. In v1-14, Paul shares with us the spiritual blessings believers experience in Christ, including:

• how "he chose us in him before the foundation of the world" (v4)
• that He sees us as "holy and blameless before him" (v4)
• that "he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ" (v5)
• ..."In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (v7)
• ..."In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it[.]" v13-14

We must grab hold of these blessings and drive towards maturity, never forgetting them.  Chuck Swindoll reminds us also that fellowship with other believers in daily living is key towards achieving maturity. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who blesses us as believers with a rich inheritance You give us faith and salvation, You seal us with the Holy Spirit and guarantee our inheritance - thank You Jesus!  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.

Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.

Isaiah 58-60

Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it. Isaiah 60:21-22

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 5 (of 5) of week 21, which looks at Isaiah 58-60.  Day 5 encourages us to review Isaiah 58-60, to deepen our understanding, and to extract final applications from these chapters as we prepare to move on to the end of Isaiah. 

Looking back at my posts for these chapters:

• Isaiah 58 focuses on fasting and how God seeks for us to do so wholeheartedly, not hypocritically, or as double-minded - see also Day 1 and 2 posts.
• Isaiah 59 focuses on how God promises a Redeemer for Israel, of course this is Jesus and through Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, who arms us to battle against sin - see Day 2 and 3 posts
• Isaiah 60 focuses on glory for Israel and the coming redeemer is a light in the darkness of the present age - see Day 4 post
  

This post from Chuck Swindoll helps illuminate a key application from Isaiah (including 58-60), and one that convicts me this morning - an excerpt: "In addition to its gospel message, the book of Isaiah clearly articulates the sins of God’s people—dealing with others unjustly which resulted in their offering hypocritical sacrifices to God. Do you see anything in your own life that might fall under Isaiah’s critique of injustice—treating family, colleagues, or even strangers with unkindness or even disdain? Isaiah’s message is also a call for believers to come back to purity in our love for God and for our neighbors (Luke 10:26–28)."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who pursued me and saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You saved me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me, 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.