[T]hey shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

2 Chronicles 12

[T]hey shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 2 Chronicles 12:8

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at text in the Old Testament where God shows Solomon's son Rehoboam mercy in bringing a prophet Shemaiah to him to warn him of punishment God was about to deliver for abandoning Him for foreign gods (2 Chronicles 12:1-5). In response to Shemaiah's message, Rehoboam humbled himself and repented of his sins (v6). In turn, God delivered Rehoboam from the hand of his attackers (v7). However, Rehoboam was placed in the service of his attackers (Egypt and its King Shishak - v8), and Piper uses this text to illustrate how God wants us to see how service to Him is not burdensome but joyful and we do it not because God needs anything (He doesn't), but because it is life giving.  Piper shares that [t]he point is plain: serving the enemy and serving God are very different. How so? Serving God is a receiving and a blessing and a joy and a benefit. Serving Shishak is exhausting and depleting and sorrowful. God is a giver. Shishak is a taker." To bolster his point, Piper refers us to Acts 17:25 where Paul is speaking and he is explicit in describing how God does not need anything. Piper also provides Psalm 100:2 where it is written that we are to "[s]erve the Lord with gladness." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You provide for all of my needs and Your mercies are new every morning.  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.

[B]y grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2

[B]y grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how the New Testament bounds faith and grace together so that we understand God's grace is solely the fruit of faith. We also must understand that faith is not the fruit of our own efforts, thereby we have no basis to boast about what we have done as it is God alone is His sovereignty over all things that acts to give us faith and His grace. To further amplify his exhortation that we not boast about what God has done, John Piper points us to 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 where Paul seeks for the church in Corinth to remain humble and boast only in the Lord.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have done great things, including giving me faith, continuing a sanctifying work in me, and giving me blessings abundant, including brothers and sisters in Christ that point me to You and encourage me in my faith.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Help me turn from and overcome 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 they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

1 Samuel 2

But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. 1 Samuel 2:25b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God sometimes goes against His will, and in this case His will is "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). In today's devotion, John Piper uses the story of Eli's worthless sons from 1 Samuel 2 to illustrate his takeaway. He starts by describing from the story that "[t]he sons of Eli the priest would not obey their father when he rebuked them for their sin."  He then unpacks how there are three points we should see from the text.

1. It is possible to sin so long and so grievously that the Lord will not grant repentance. See also 2 Timothy 2:25, Hebrews 12:17, and Luke 23:43.
2. Sometimes God does not permit a sinning person to do what is right.
3. Sometimes our prayers for God’s revealed will to be done will not be done because God has decreed something different for holy and wise purposes.
   

Piper wraps the devotion by offering words of encouragement when we cry out to God for God to save someone, as I have my son Zach.  We are urged to see how God does love us and that we can trust in Him that He is working and while I may not see what He is doing - He is working and He DOES love us. Today's devotion goes hand in hand with yesterday's post and its focus on patience. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and mercy me - and I know You are always at work for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You work in my life.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 45 and 50

...God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 45:7, 50:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 (at the same time my church is looking at these very chapters).  Here in the devotion, John Piper seeks for us to model Joseph and grow in our patience through "faith in the sovereign, future grace of God."  Most believers are likely to know the story of Joseph well, yet all of us have needs to stretch and grow in some areas as I do in patience.  Piper wants us to see how God is always at work, and working in the "unplanned places" and "unplanned paces" of our lives - including those that are painful to endure. He sees these as "key to our patience."  God please help me take this to heart!

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

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

 ...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how a genuine longing for a return of Christ serves as a marker for authentic faith.  In contrast, John Piper shares how a love of this world (material possessions, earthly pleasures, etc.) while believing in an escape plan from hell serves as a marker for phony faith. Piper provides litmus tests of authentic faith by referring us to 1 Corinthians 1:7 and Philippians 3:20 - do we await the return of Christ as these churches did?  Of course, another litmus test offered by scripture is "fruit of the Spirit" as described in Galatians 5:22. Others should see a truly transformed heart and life as evidenced by such fruit.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - thank You for saving me and for the sanctifying work You have done and continue to do in my life - I know there is more to do but I am grateful for what You have already done.  I am prayerful that I submit to You and allow You to continue to work in my heart and life.  I am undeserving of how You love me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me, help me turn from and overcome 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.

[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy[.]

Colossians 1

[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy[.] Colossians 1:11

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God provides patience to believers through faith in God's glorious might. First, Piper provides key insights into how patience is "evidence of an inner strength."  Piper writes: "[i]mpatient people are weak, and therefore dependent on external supports — like schedules that go just right and circumstances that support their fragile hearts. Their outbursts of oaths and threats and harsh criticisms of the culprits who crossed their plans do not sound weak. But that noise is all a camouflage of weakness. Patience demands tremendous inner strength."  In contrast, Piper describes believers as gaining their strength from God as faith in God's glorious might is the "channel through which the power for patience comes."  Piper wraps the devotion by pointing us to Galatians 3:5 where he builds his case that it is through faith in God and His glorious might where believers experience fruits of the Spirit - of which patience is one (Galatians 5:22). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose sanctifying work is a blessing and I have experienced that in my own life as You have given me greater patience - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of this and all the other blessings You provide.  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.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God does not waste any of our efforts in His Name that are spent in what we may think are flailing efforts that don't seem to be going anywhere.  I can think of many ways in which I think I am flailing - modeling God for my 20 year old son who is not a believer and hoping I can find teachable moments to share Christ with Him; telling my 15 year old Down Syndrome son that Jesus loves him before he goes to bed - hoping that even with his intellectual disability he can understand the love and grace of Christ.  Piper shares a convicting story of how a devotion from Richard Wurmbrand caused him to see how his moments seemed like flailing but were not as God does not waste any efforts made in His Name.  This is one of the great juxtapositions of how God works - for example, God's strength is greatest in our weakness.  In Wurmbrand's devotion we see how God gives clarity of thought, focus, and communication to the feeblest of those in these abilities.  I am also drawn to 1 Corinthians 9:26, were Paul reminds us that if our aim is broadly on Christ, even though it may seem like aimless movements - they are not.

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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 work in all things and use my efforts in Your Name for Your glory.  Thank You Jesus for working in my seemingly aimless efforts and for using my brokenness.  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus, and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at questions many believers have, which is how can I be assured that once God chooses me as one of His elect that I will also endure and persevere such that I can have final salvation.  Piper frames the question this way: "[t]he Bible speaks of our election — God’s choosing us — in Christ before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4) before we had done anything good or evil (Romans 9:11). Therefore, our election is unconditional in the strictest sense. Neither our faith nor our obedience is the basis of it. It is free and utterly undeserved. On the other hand, dozens of passages in the Bible speak of our final salvation (as opposed to our election in eternity past) as conditional upon a changed heart and life." Piper answers this question, using 2 Peter 1:10, Deuteronomy 30:6, and Ezekiel 36:27, by sharing that election is the start of God working in my heart and life, and it is not the end as God.  God will cause and bring about obedience to Him and continue the sanctifying work over the course of your earthly journey with Christ. Piper wraps the devotion by writing: "[e]lection is God’s eternal commitment to do this for his people. So, election guarantees that those whom God justifies by faith he will most assuredly glorify (Romans 8:30). This means that he will unfailingly work in us all the conditions laid down for glorification." Important question and encouraging indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me and for the ongoing work of sanctification in my heart and life.  I am not deserving of such blessings and love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin by turning to 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.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.["]

Luke 14

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.["] Luke 14:26-27

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today compares how Satan "hides his worst and shows only his best" of what he offers, to Jesus, who shows both the best and the worst. Piper then concludes, as all believers should upon review of both offers in detail, that Christ is worth it. The devotion starts with Piper laying (from Luke 14) out the case for the cost of following Christ - or the worst: " the painful cost of being a Christian: hating family (verse 26), carrying a cross (verse 27), renouncing possessions (verse 33)." Piper then pivots to Satan's deception about the best of what he offers - Genesis 3:4, Matthew 4:9. Piper uses Matthew Henry's words to conclude how the benefits of following Jesus abundantly "counterbalance" the costs. For the best of what Christ offers, we are referred to Luke 14:14 (glorious resurrection), Luke 22:32 (God will help us endure hardships), Luke 21:18 (we are provided the Holy Spirit, and even in death we will not perish), future glory that awaits us (Romans 8:18), and the eternal weight of glory that awaits us (2 Corinthians 4:17). Having experienced the lies Satan offers, been given the gift of faith (even though I am not deserving!), and having a foretaste of eternal glory, I can say without hesitation that following Jesus is worth it!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed worth following!  I am blessed!  Thank You Jesus for giving me the gift of faith and for revealing a glimpse of eternal glory.  I am not deserving of how You do this for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me, turn towards You, and overcome such sin. 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 sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how Jesus intimately knows each individual believer. John Piper seeks for believers to be encouraged how God knows them.  Piper writes: "[t]hey are not anonymous, lost in the flock."  Using John 10:14-15, he extends his thought by sharing that "[t]here is a real similarity between the way Jesus knows his Father in heaven and the way he knows his sheep. Jesus sees himself in the Father, and he sees himself in his disciples. To some degree Jesus recognizes his own character in his disciples. He sees his own brand mark on the sheep. This endears them to him."  Piper wraps the devotion by pointing to 2 Timothy 2:19 where Paul similarly echoes Jesus's words that "[t]he Lord knows those who are his."  We are urged to see how God's knowledge of us, His deep intimacy, is a "privilege...[and] a precious gift to all his sheep, and it contains within it profound, personal fellowship and affection and the promise of eternal life." Believers be encouraged by how God knows You!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing everything about me - including my sin and brokenness - yet still loving me, welcoming me into Your family, and saving me.  I am not deserving of such blessings and gifts. 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 lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God is constantly working for believers. We need to see this is as supernatural encouragement - as only God can provide. John Piper writes that "God is a tireless worker. He never wearies. Think of God as a worker in your life. Yes, it is amazing. We are prone to think of ourselves as workers in God’s life. But the Bible wants us first to be amazed that God is a worker in our lives[.]"  Piper refers to the following verses as means to substantiate his claims:

• Isaiah 64:4: From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
  
• 2 Chronicles 16:9: The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
  
• Mark 10:45: The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.

Life is a very long race for most - one that requires perseverance, endurance, encouragement, etc.  We should seek to go the One True God who created all things and provides all things as our source of provision for what we need to run and finish the race.  

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

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 12

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:24-25

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Jesus's words as the hour approached for Him to be crucified. John Piper, in stark terms, lays out how, if we take Jesus's words to heart, we should not be bothered or concerned about our earthly circumstances.  He writes:

"If men speak well of you, it doesn’t matter much.
If they hate you, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have a lot of things, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have little, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are persecuted or lied about, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are famous or unheard of, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have died with Christ, these things just don’t matter much."

Piper uses the grain of wheat analogy to illustrate how it falls to the ground yet produces fruit to have us understand how our own death as believers leads to eternal life with Christ - bearing fruit a human mind can only begin to fathom.  We are urged to read v26 as well as Jesus exhorts us to "follow him" and of course this means all the way to the end - to the cross and to death.  The devotion wraps with Piper moving to Acts 20:24 and how Paul writes:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Piper calls this "radical commitment to ministry" and he urges believers to share in this commitment as Paul and Jesus did.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who went to the cross for me - so that I could have forgiveness of sins, fullness of life in Christ now and for eternity - 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.

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Luke 10

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Luke 10:21

As I continue to sort out my next study, this morning I once again listen to and study DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which this morning looks at Luke 10:21 where John Piper examines what makes Jesus rejoice in this text.  Luke 10 starts with Jesus sending out seventy-two of His disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  They return (v17-20) excitedly sharing the joy of how they, through the Holy Spirit, were able to have authority of demons.  Next we see how Jesus shares in this joy, rejoicing how God reveals the identity of His Son Jesus to some but not others - v21-22.  This is one of the great mysteries of the gospel - that Jesus saves some but not others.  Piper writes that "[t]he point of this is not that there are only certain classes of people who are chosen by God. The point is that God is free to choose the least likely candidates for his grace. God contradicts what human merit might dictate. He hides from the self-sufficient wise and reveals to the most helpless and unaccomplished. When Jesus sees the Father freely enlightening and saving people whose only hope is free grace, he exults in the Holy Spirit and takes pleasure in his Father’s election."  Piper wraps the devotion with a call to action that believers should join in this rejoicing as we know the identity of Jesus, the One Who Saves! Hallelujah!

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

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Given I have completed my study of Hebrews, and I have yet to determine my next study, this morning I land on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which this morning looks at Colossians 3:1-2 and how Paul seeks for us to "look at the light beyond the light," which is of course Heaven.  I am convicted listening/reading to this devotion, particularly with how I "skimp" on prayer.  John Piper describes summertime as a period of vacation, outdoor splendors, and of refreshment.  He wants (and of course so does Paul and Jesus!) us to have this refreshment but he seeks for us to get it in Jesus and not be distracted. We are referred to a number of verses that underscore Piper's message:

• Colossians 1:18: Christ is in all of our moments of summer - SEE and experience Him!
• Matthew 11:28: When we seek rest and long for vacation - don't forget how Christ provides ETERNAL rest!
• Jeremiah 29:13: Believers all want to experience MORE of God - God promises that if seek Him with all of our heart we will find Him.
• Acts 3:19-20: Experiencing God means not just turning away from sin but turning towards Him.
• Revelation 21:23: While the sun may gives us joy this summer, we are urged to look towards the light that is everlasting Jesus Christ!

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

Now may the God of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Hebrews 13

Now may the God of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21

Today, I wrap my study of Hebrews, as my focus is the concluding verses 15-25 of Hebrews 13.  I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines five divisions for this text:

I. Offer Up Pleasing Sacrifices (13:15-16): The commentary emphasizes how the author of Hebrews is focused on Jewish converts to Christianity, and these readers are familiar with the Old Testament.  The OT required animal sacrifices, yet with Christ, WE are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) by modeling Christ and doing good out of our love for Christ. This includes praise and worship - both corporate and through our own testimony and evangelization to others.

II. Submit to Your Leaders (13:17)

III. Pray for Us (13:18-19)

IV. A Remarkable Benediction (13:20-21): The commentary describes the text here as "one of the most beautiful prayers ever uttered by a Christian." It also highlights how the text shares that it is God who equips us - not in our own strength.

V. Final Words (13:22-25)

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You allow me to come to You directly - without an intermediary, and I don't need animal sacrifices - and You forgive and save!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You do all of this for me...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.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Hebrews 13

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:15-25, and my unaided observations of the text. Use of the word "then" at the start of v15 seeks for us to build on what has already been said in this chapter such that we read this verse as an imperative with the reason already defined in previous verses. The imperative here is to "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God" - because of what Jesus did for us on the cross (outside the camp - v12) we should follow Christ (v13) and praise Him for what He has done for us.  In v16, we are also exhorted to "do good and to share what [we] have," as God sees these sacrifices as pleasing. V17-19 seek for us to support and encourage church leaders as they "watch over [our] souls." The concluding verses (v20-25) of the chapter include a benediction and final greetings from Paul.  The benediction reminds us that it is God who equips us (v21) to do his will. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who offered Himself such that I could have life - to the full now and forever - 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.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:7-14, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines four divisions for this text:

I. Remember Your Leaders: Here, the commentary surmises that the use of "remember" vs "honor, respect or greet" is used likely due to how many leaders likely were martyred at the time Hebrews was written; it also emphasizes how discipleship is not just learning from the teaching of leaders but also from their practices in their daily living.

II. Remember Your Savior: We also encouraged to see - in v8 - how Jesus does not change.  We are referred to Malachi 3:6, one of many scripture references that make this point.  The commentary shares: "[w]e can rest in the absolute confidence that he will never change."

III. Do Not Be Led Astray: V8 provides a foundational truth for us to avoid being led astray by either clinging to Old Testament external practices (i.e. with foods) that no longer apply for readers of Hebrews, or to fashionable trends that seek to change our faith to suit the times. 

IV. Go Outside the Camp: Here, the commentary describes how the text uses the Old Testament practice of burning sacrificed food outside the camp, and how that directs us to follow Jesus as He was sacrificed outside Jerusalem.  It shares: "[f]ollowing Jesus means joining him outside the camp. The writer’s people were tempted to find their identity in Judaism and the old covenant."  The commentary wraps by pointing to the last verse of today's text - v14 - and how "we anticipate an everlasting city. Our hope is not in the fading city of man, it’s in the enduring city of God. We wait for an eschatological city, the heavenly Jerusalem."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are worthy of worship and imitation - You are spotless, and full of grace and compassion for how You offer the only path to forgiveness and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless as You do.  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.  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 here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:14

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:7-14, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, the text offers a number of instructions from the author of Hebrews, including:

• Model the faithfulness of your leaders, those who have taught You from the scriptures (v7)
• Beware of false teachings, particularly those that seek to follow trends or how cultures change over time - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (v8-9a)

It is less clear the instructions with regards to food in v9b-13.

With regards to v14:

• Once again, the author of Hebrews reiterates a point previously raised that we owe an allegiance first not to an earthly kingdom or country, but to a Heavenly one.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me excellent leaders that have taught and modeled scripture and faith for me - 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.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 13

 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:1-6, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines five divisions for this text:

I. Love toward Saints: Enduring in Brotherly Affection (13:1): Here the commentary emphasizes how the text seeks to have believers see other believers as family - brothers and sisters...in Christ.  Thus, in v1 we are encouraged to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

II. Love toward Strangers: Showing Hospitality (13:2)

III. Love toward Prisoners: Remembering the Imprisoned and Mistreated (13:3)

IV. Hold Marriage in Honor (13:4) 

V. Hold Money Loosely (13:5-6): The commentary writes here how is "a call to live out the tenth commandment. Of the Ten Commandments, the tenth—do not covet—is perhaps the most difficult for us to fully comprehend, even though it tells us specifically what we should avoid coveting: our neighbor’s wife, our neighbor’s animals, or our neighbor’s belongings."  The text wraps with why we can be content with what we have - "[t]he source of our contentment is not the security and comfort we get from owning enough things; it’s that we serve a God who takes care of us. We serve a God who will never leave or forsake us. God himself has promised....[Hebrews 13:6] reflects the same confidence in God’s abiding character that the apostle Paul displays in Romans 8:31-39."

Broadly speaking, the commentary shares how chapter 13 addresses "personal and practical concerns in order to encourage people in the faith and exhort them to grow in holiness."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, compassion and abounding love - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your grace, compassion, and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 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 Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

Hebrews 13

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, and Isaiah 51:12

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:1-6, and my unaided observations of the text. As the concluding chapter of Hebrews - where the primary focus of the book overall is to encourage Jewish believers, familiar with the Old Testament and the heroes of the faith as described in chapter 11 (aka the "hall of faith") - the author of Hebrews pivots to encourage readers with practical ways to lead a Godly life, one pleasing to Christ.  We are encouraged to: 

• love our brothers and sisters in Christ (v1)
• show hospitality to strangers (v2) 
• support and encourage the persecuted (v3)
• hold up marriage as honorable and that it be "undefiled by sexual immoral[ity] and adulter[y]" (v4)
• avoid love of money and envy (v5)

The text for today concludes (v6) by exhorting readers to heed words similarly spoken in Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, and Isaiah 51:12.

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My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your amazing 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.  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.

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 12

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. Hebrews 12:25

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 12:25-29, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines three divisions for this text. 

I. He Who Speaks and Warns (12:25): The commentary describes, and it is important for believers to constantly remind themselves of this, how the gospel is not just an offer but a command: "[i]t is presented as an ultimatum, as something to be either received or rejected." For those that reject the gospel, they face eternal condemnation - Jesus will return as He promises and His wrath against those who reject Him will be terrifying!

II. All That Remains (12:26-27): The commentary shares how the author of Hebrews in this text refers back to Exodus 19:18, Judges 5:5, and Haggai 2:2-9 as these passages describe how the earth shook on Mount Sinai and how God will once again shake the earth but also the heavens and all of creation - and only God's elect will remain in New Jerusalem.

III. An Unshakable Kingdom and Its Holy King (12:28-29): The commentary focuses on how the author of Hebrews ends the text to encourage believers to be grateful for the amazing grace and abounding love of God and for believers to remain serious about their faith and reverent towards God - not flippant nor haphazard. We are also referred to Romans 12:1 where Paul appeals to believers to offer themselves as a "living sacrifice."

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My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who saves because of Your amazing grace and abounding love - even for those who are broken and sinful as I am.  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.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12

 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 12:25-29, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, building on the previous text where the author of Hebrews makes a contrast between Mount Sinai, where God met the Israelites and it was terrifying and no one could touch Mount Sinai, and Mount Zion, an eschatological reference to New Jerusalem and how believers have a foretaste of Heaven now, the text now warns new believers to not refuse the approachable Christ - that we can access directly - who comes to offer grace, mercy and eternal life.  In v26, the author of Hebrews references both Haggai 2:6 and Isaiah 13:13 where prophecies are offered how God will shake the created order - Heavens and earth.  We are warned to have faith in a God whose kingdom will last forever and will not be shaken - in particular, not during the last days when the "earth and heavens" will be shaken (v27).  Believe, have faith in what will not be shaken!

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is saving me a place in Heaven - in a kingdom that will never be shaken.  You are my firm foundation!  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.  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 you have not (emphasis added) come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.

Hebrews 12

For you have not (emphasis added) come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. Hebrews 12:18-19

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:18-24, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text.  Broadly, the commentary's main point is how the text contrasts the Old Covenant made on Mount Sinai with the New Covenant made through Jesus, primarily through the people of Jerusalem - represented eschatologically as Mount Zion or the New Jerusalem.

I. Mount Sinai (12:18-21): The commentary first highlights how the text uses the word "for" to build on the previous text and use it as means to share how believers are to strengthen their hands and weakened knees, and straighten the paths for their feet (see v12-13) by recognizing that they have come to a better mountain - Zion.  In the Old Testament (see Exodus 19-20), Sinai represented [God's] incomparable power, might, and sheer holiness.  Thus, this mountain was a place of awe and terror for Israel. Any animal that touched Sinai was to be stoned (see Exodus 19:12-13, Hebrews 12:20) and the commentary describes this as demonstrat[ing] the costliness of uncleanness in the midst of God’s holy presence.  The command for animals to avoid touching Mount Sinai was used "to show just how incomprehensibly terrifying God’s presence on Sinai was for the people of Israel. It was so fearsome that even Moses was afraid."

II. Mount Zion (12:22-24): The commentary then contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion to underscore the author of Hebrews key point in verse 18 how believers how come to a different mountain - not Mount Sinai.  The commentary shares: "He paints this terrifying picture of Sinai for his readers in order to make the contrast with the radiant, glorious, and gracious new covenant. The awful terror of Sinai, which is not the mount to which we have come, shows the radical mercy of Zion. At Zion God embraces us with his grace and administers to us a covenant where he does not merely write the law on tablets of stone but on the tablets of our hearts." We are reminded that the picture described is of the New Jerusalem - and our experience now is simply a foretaste of heaven, which of course will be glorious. 

Be encouraged that we have such an approachable God who is saving us a place in such a glorious place as Heaven!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are such an awesome God that we can now approach you daily and directly without terror.  Of course we are to fear God and hate sin so as to flee from it but at the same time we know we have a God that washes away our sin and is full of grace and mercies that are new every morning.  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.  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 you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22,24

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:18-24, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, building on verses 12-17, the author of Hebrews describes how believers through Jesus, have come to a better place through a better mediator - than what is described in Old Testament scripture.  In verses 18-21, the author of Hebrews is apparently referencing how God appeared to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai as described in Exodus 19-20.  The scene at Mount Sinai was intended to strike fear in the hearts of the Israelites - to obey.  But we know that obedience through fear ultimately did not work because it is not through our own strength that we obey - it is only through submission to Jesus Christ who works in our heart to bring about a love of God verses love of sin.  Thank You Jesus for being a better mediator and offering a new way to God through Your Son!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good, full of amazing grace, compassion, and mercy...and You give Yourself so that I can approach God with confidence...directly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace and mercy.  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.

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

Genesis 35, 37, 38, 43-44, 46, 49

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.  He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?  The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:8-10

Today, in light of how my church is studying the life of Joseph in Genesis, I am drawn to look more closely at Judah, one of Joseph's brothers, as it is Judah, not Joseph, from whom Jesus descends (see Matthew 1).  Similar to Rahab - see Joshua 2 - whom we know was a prostitute, and not even an Israelite, God redeems in Judah a sinful and dysfunctional life to be part of a broader purpose.  Rahab is remembered in Hebrews 11 - aka the hall of faith."  Interestingly, Rahab fails to get the ink Judah does - which begs the question if both are equally sinful, and God redeems both lives for part of a broader purpose - the incarnation of Jesus, what more can we learn from scripture about Judah, as scripture dedicates much more text vs Rahab. 

Judah is first mentioned, albeit briefly, in Genesis 35 as one of twelve sons of Jacob from Rachel, Leah, Bilpah (Rachel's servant), and Zilpah (Leah's servant).  Judah is born of Leah.  We next see Judah and his brothers plotting to kill Joseph in Genesis 37, but in verse 26-27 Judah (like his older brother Reuben in verse 21-22) has second thoughts and proposes to his brothers that they "sell him to the Ishmaelites...[a]nd his brothers listened to him." We next see Judah in Genesis 38, where one might think to oneself we are taking a detour from Joseph's story.  In Genesis 38, we see how Jacob and Rachel's deceptive lives are passed on to Jacob's son's, in particular Judah who marries a Canaanite.  One of Judah's son's Er marries Tamar and she deceives Judah into sleeping with her - the deception and dysfunction continues.   However, we know from Matthew 1 that Perez (from Judah and Tamar) is in the line of Jesus, so we can be encouraged how God redeems sin and dysfunction for His glory. See also this commentary. 

We then see Judah next in Genesis 43, where Joseph's brothers have gone to Egypt seen Joseph (but Joseph has not identified himself to them) and returned to Jacob with food as the land was experiencing famine.  Joseph instructed them that if they were to return they must bring their youngest brother - Benjamin.  Although Jacob does not want to see Benjamin go, he relents and Joseph's brothers return to Egypt, with Benjamin, in an effort to secure more food. Upon their return they are successful in securing more grain, but upon leaving, Joseph, in act of deception himself, plants a silver cup on Benjamin's sack and of course Joseph's men find out and Joseph is indignant and Judah offers himself to stay in Benjamin's place.  Judah's impassioned plea for Benjamin (and for his father) in Genesis 44 ultimately leads Joseph to reconcile with his brothers.  Ultimately, in Genesis 49, we see before he dies, Jacob blesses his sons, including Judah, as Jacob prophecies how Judah's line will reign over Israel.  See also this commentary about Judah's transformation and how God redeems Judah's sin and dysfunctional life.

The story of Judah is an important component of scripture and we should examine every aspect of it for truth and application (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good!  All of scripture is perfect and worthy of study as it provides incredible encouragement for how You use broken and sinful lives like mine.  I am not deserving of how You redeem and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text: 

I. The Charge: Keep Running (12:12-13): The commentary emphasizes how the author of Hebrews uses metaphors of drooping hands, weak knees, and lame feet, etc. to underscore how the Christian life is often one of struggle and we are encouraged to continue to persevere and endure. The author uses language from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 where the analogy of a race is also used. We are warned about obstacles to our faith - the commentary shares: "If you are going to run a race well, you will need a clear path, and to get a clear path, you will need to remove any obstacles. You don’t want to leave any dangerous spots where you could twist an ankle or trip over a rock....We must arrange our lives so that sin’s opportunities to ensnare us are significantly reduced."

II. The Challenge: Live Holy Lives (12:14-17): The commentary highlights v14 where Christians are to live at peace with everyone - not just the community of believers.  This is important particularly during periods of persecution as beliefs in the church are currently under attack - do not respond harshly. We are also reminded to be holy - recognizing that we are not perfect - and to fight sin. To do so, v15 seeks for believers to watch out for one another and to avoid division in the church. Finally, the commentary for the text wraps by pointing to a negative example - in contrast to the positive examples in chapter 11 (the Hall of Faith) - for believers. Esau traded his birthright for a meal (see full story in Genesis 25, 27).  The commentary describes this action as an irreverent and unthinkable action.  Esau then lost his father's blessing to Jacob.  Although Jacob did so deceptively, it was lost nonetheless and Esau is described in the commentary as showing regret but not repentance. We are referred to 2 Corinthians 7:10 where Paul compares Godly to worldly grief and the commentary describes Esau as displaying the latter. 

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me great examples of faithfulness so that I can continue running the race of faith to the finish - through scripture, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and of course in Yourself!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You encourage and save 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.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.]

Hebrews 12

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 1:22-23a

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, the text starts (v12-13) with an encouragement to endure and persevere, particularly through suffering, pain, trials, difficulty, weakness, etc. It is God who never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20) and He provides and strengthens us in all of our circumstances (Philippians 4:12-13). V14 seeks for us to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives.  V15-17 provide us with an encouragement to share the gospel with others that God may bring them to faith and salvation through Jesus Christ.  The author of Hebrews uses Esau as an example of someone who "despised His birthright" and failed to inherit the blessing of his father Isaac (Genesis 25, 27).  Esau's line ultimately led to the Edomites (Genesis 36) and Jacob's line of course ultimately led to Jesus (Matthew 1).  While God is sovereign and it is He that hardens hearts and softens them, bringing some to faith and others not, believers nonetheless share a responsibility to share the gospel and their own testimony with others.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - giving me faith and You sustain and strengthen me - particularly during difficult times.  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.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:1-11, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text: 

I. Run the Race (12:1-3): Here, the commentary shares how author of Hebrews uses an athletic metaphor as a means to encourage us to keep striving in our faith - keep running. We are encouraged to keep running because God sustains us.  The commentary describes how in v2 it states how God is the "founder and perfecter of our faith" (ESV), and we can look to Jesus to help carry us through to the end of the race.

II. The Father’s Discipline (12:4-11): Here, the commentary shares how author of Hebrews compares an earthly father's discipline to that of how God disciplines us and how both are done out of love for us - first by our earthly father, then by our Heavenly Father. We must be prepared at any time for discipline.  The commentary wraps by sharing that "Christians question how God can work for good through horrifying loss. Yet God was working for our good in the gruesome death of his Son. If ever we doubt God’s love because of our circumstances, we can look to the cross and remind ourselves that God gave us his own Son so that we might in turn become sons of God."

Keep running, have faith and look to Christ for encouragement, discipline, training as means to run the race to the end.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for never leaving or forsaking me as I continue to run the race of faith.  Thank You for the inspiration, encouragement, and discipline/training along the way.  There have been periods of challenge for sure - but I see how You have been part of all of it for my good and Your glory.  I am undeserving of how You have blessed me during my race.  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.