Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter five - Unshakable Contentment Whether Abased or Abounding.  Here, John Piper describes how Paul endures and perseveres through immense sufferings, remaining content with his circumstances and refusing to grumble and complain. Piper first starts with how Paul was at one point almost brought to death, but recognized that his suffering had purpose and it was God's purpose.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 for the text where this is described.  Piper then makes this statement about the "truth Paul believed about his suffering— no   matter how severe— was that it came ultimately with God’s purpose, and the purpose was that Paul would trust himself less and trust God more, every moment of his life, especially as death approached.*"  Piper continues on this topic by moving to the key to how Paul avoided grumbling and complaining about his suffering - we are referred to Romans 5:3-5 where Paul sees how God is - according to Piper - "producing endurance and God-saturated hope.*" Even when Paul sensed his suffering could lead to death Piper describes how Paul shared how this did not move him to grumble or complain - we are referred to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 where Paul tells us that he focused on what was awaiting him in Heaven...an "eternal weight of glory." As Piper wraps up the chapter, he sums up - by pointing to Philippians 4:11-13 - how Paul had found the secret to contentment.  Additional scripture references are provided, including Philippians 3:8 (all satisfying presence and worth of Christ) and Philippians 1:12 and Romans 8:28 (God works all things for his good).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and there are times when I have experienced suffering and You saw me through it and I know there will be more suffering before my life ends and I know You will never leave or forsake me and work in me to produce hope....thank You Jesus for how You bless 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.

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Luke 6

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter four- Unwavering Love for Those Who Scourged Him. Here, John Piper describes the horrific nature of the beatings he was subjected to by the Jews (as he started evangelizing towards them) as shared by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:24. He also shares the historical context of how these beatings were meted out per the Old Testament not as a death penalty but as the maximum extent to which the law allowed for punishment (Deuteronomy 25:2-3). We are encouraged by Piper to imagine the sense of not just the physical agony experienced by Paul, but also to imagine if in Paul's place "a sense of what you might feel toward God and your adversaries, the Jewish people*." Piper describes as amazing that Paul never feels anger towards or curses God, nor does he towards the Jews.  Paul is simply fulfilling his mission given him to preach first to the Jews then the Gentiles (Romans 1:16).  Piper then goes on to describe Paul's love for his kinsmen fellow Jews as chronicled in Romans 9:2-3, 10:1.  Piper wraps the chapter by pointing out how we are carry Jesus's death in our body so that we also manifest his life in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Paul epitomized Jesus's words from Luke 6:27-28.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You suffered for me - this is love.  I must suffer for others so that in me others see You.  Help me Lord Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are so full of grace 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.

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

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

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter three - Steady in His Calling through Incomparable Sufferings.  This chapter describes Paul as "utterly devoted" to Christ despite and through "incomparable sufferings."  Piper shares how Acts 20:24 highlights Paul's single minded devotion to sharing the gospel. Paul's single mindedness to his mission as given to him by God is further clarified in Romans 15:20 where Paul shares how he seeks to share the Good News of Jesus Christ "not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation."  Broadly speaking, Philippians 1:20 describes Paul's mission to glorify God regardless of whether through life or death - this is how he is able to endure the incredible suffering as he described in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.  Believers should all live on mission to glorify Christ as this is why we exist and do as Paul does to live with such single-mindedness (and with intention) that we are able to push through anything, including suffering.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who lived with singular focus - to live a perfect life, to save others, to die on the cross, and to rise again so that those who believe can be saved and sealed forever.  Thank You Jesus for the life You led and for giving us other examples such as Paul for how to serve as You desire all of us to do.  I am not worthy of how You save and for the grace You pour out.  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 their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter two - Beyond Rational Persuasion to the Revelation of Glory.  Here, John Piper shares how Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus is one of history's greatest moments, yet this historical moment does not become a primary argument by Paul to advance the gospel.  Instead, Piper describes how Paul "mov[es] beyond his own supernatural conversion as evidence, to the intrinsic glory of the gospel itself as the ground of its truth.*"  He points us to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Ephesians 1:18 (God opens the eyes of our hearts to see His glory), John 1:14 (John testifies to how he saw God's glory), Matthew 13:13 (Jesus explains how we must see with our hearts) and 16:17 (Jesus explains to Peter how He revealed Himself to Peter) where scripture emphasizes that "historical evidences alone do not go to the depths of our souls, where spiritual conviction rests. If we are going to live and die for Jesus, we must see his glory with the eyes of our hearts.*" Our hearts must recognize that we are broken and sinful and He alone reveals Himself, He chooses us as one of His elect, seals us for eternity, and sanctifies us on our earthly journey with Him.  Jesus does all of this and we must recognize that we see Jesus with our heart.

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are light and You opened the eyes of my heart so I can see Your glory - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my election, conversion, justification, and sanctification.  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 wtih 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 delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:3-9

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter one - From Angry Killer to Apostle of Christ.  The emphasis in this chapter is the remarkable - and of course, divine - transformation of Paul.  The chapter starts by ensuring we know about Paul as a Jew.  He was born a Pharisee (the strictest sect of Judaism - see Acts 26:5), and studied Jewish law and traditions under Gamaliel (one of the most esteemed teachers among all Jews - see Acts 22:3, 5:34).  Paul was also known for his "radical commitment to the strictest traditions" (see Galatians 1:14, Philippians 3:5-6) - his pedigree was unmatched among his peers and considered advanced. Yet, as he sought to bring followers to Jesus to trial (and ultimately death) (see Acts 9:1-2), Paul encountered the living Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-5). Christ gave Paul a mission to preach the Good News to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15-16). Paul was transformed in an instant and expressed the same zeal he had persecuting Jews to preach to the Gentiles (see Galatians 1:13, 23-24) - it was of course noticeable. Paul's life became a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and his testimony was of course compelling. At the end of the chapter, John Piper refers us to 1 Timothy 1:16 where Paul describes his mission:

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 

God wants ALL believers to show how others how His perfect patience lives in us as an example to others....so that they may believe.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and Your Word is perfect in all ways that I may be sanctified by it and made more like You.  Thank You Jesus for the blessing of Your Word.  I am not deserving of such grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians. 1:1, 11–16; 1 Corinthians 14:37–38; 15:1–9, 20–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9

Today, I start a new study looking at the life of Paul, and using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I start with the Introduction.  I am compelled to look more closely at Paul because of his stature in scripture - he wrote 13 books of the New Testament - and because his words specifically reach deep into my heart to challenge me, sharpen me, encourage me, etc. In the Introduction, Piper writes how Paul does not claim to be Lord, but he "does claim to be an authoritative and truthful apostle— an   authorized representative and spokesman— for Jesus Christ, whom he says has been raised from the dead and is reigning over the universe and will come again in glory (see also Galatians. 1:1, 11–16; 1 Corinthians 14:37–38; 15:1–9, 20–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17)."* My objective is to better understand Paul, and in so doing, love and admire Paul as John Piper does and ultimately to grow in how I see Jesus as the "supreme Treasure of [my] life."

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good and Your Word is good and perfect - and I seek to better understand Your Word by examining Paul who wrote much of Your Word as a divine prophet and message speaking on Your behalf.  I am not worthy of how You reveal Yourself to 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.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Philippians 4

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Philippians 4:11-12

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Philippians 4 and how Paul's God-divined words help us battle unbelief which we are likely to experience when we focus on love of money or other earthly matters that are not eternal.  Looking specifically at verses 11-12, Piper kicks off today's devotion by sharing that "God’s provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting."  He then points to verse 13 where Paul describes how "[he] can do all things through him who strengthens [him]."  Piper writes that when Paul says that he can do all things - this includes not just easy things, but difficult ones also.  He then points to verse 19 and describes the promise made there as "stunning" as he shares how Paul claims that "God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  This is emphasized as the power of future grace - that faith in God's promises enables future grace as the power behind both good times and challenging ones. As a corollary, Piper then points us to Hebrews 13:5 where the author encourages us to avoid the love of money - as such covetousness is emblematic of unbelief.  Seek God, understand and appreciate how much God loves us, and how as Hebrews 13:5 also says how God will never leave or forsake us - also an incredible promise - which will also press us into God knowing that He is faithful.

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My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are SO good as You DO supply for every need - in all times good and bad!  Thank You Jesus - I also know You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  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.

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Romans 4

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how believers honor and glorify God by remaining humble, battling unbelief, and trusting in God's future grace for our lives. John Piper uses Paul's words from Romans 4 where Paul describes Abraham's faith in God's promises for Abraham's heir to be his own son and for his descendants to be many - to be a great nation (see also Genesis 15). God of course makes many promises - that He provides, that He is faithful, that prayer is effective and He hears our prayers, etc.  For me, my unbelief can often be tied to my worry and anxiety about my children on various topics. I seek to battle unbelief in the same way that Abraham did.  I am greatly encouraged today, not just by the example of Abraham, but also by this post from DesiringGod.com on anxiety and unbelief where many examples of scripture are provided to aid me in my battle.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good...You provide, You never leave or forsake me, and Your promises can be trusted as You are faithful.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings - I am not deserving.  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.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we must fight for holiness, which John Piper defines as a practical matter as "believing the promises of future grace" as the source for all good works that we do in service of a God we love.  Piper sees this as a critical battle, hoping that we avoid Christ's words from Matthew 7:23 and Romans 8:13 where He admonishes those who never truly believed in Him and instead lived according to the flesh (vs the Spirit). This path leads of course to damnation.  On the other hand, if we believe in the sanctifying power of grace to provide all that we need, we demonstrate ourselves to be fully reliant on God.  Piper points us to 1 Peter 4:11, Romans 15:18, and 1 Corinthians 15:10 as examples of text that support how we can fight for holiness and maintain complete reliance on Him. Piper wraps this devotion by sharing: "[m]oment by moment, grace arrives to enable us to do “every good work” that God appoints for us. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8)."   See also this post from DesiringGod.com. Seek and fight for holiness!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good to me, and You give me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, etc. so that I can arm myself for the fight for holiness. Thank You Jesus!  Without You and the blessings You provide - I am unable to save myself from the prince of this world - Satan.  I am undeserving of how You save, provide, and protect.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus.  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. 

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 6

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how a satisfaction in Christ gives believers power to "break the enslaving force of sinful attractions."  First John Piper clarifies what he means by satisfaction in Christ; he shares: "[i]t is not merely the promises of God that satisfy us. It is all that God himself is for us in Jesus. Faith embraces God in Christ as our treasure — not just God’s promised gifts." Piper refers us to Revelation 21:3 and seeks for us to understand that God Himself dwelling with us - that combined with a clearer understanding of who Christ is based on how God reveals Himself to be through scripture - is what satisfies us.  Other examples of scripture provided by Piper include:

• Ephesians 3:17-19
• John 4:10,14 
  

Clear takeaway is to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6); to vigorously seek God in scripture. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who gives me power to deny the lure of sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessing and power.  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 the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

1 Corinthians 15

[B]y the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at grace - which John Piper describes as not just "leniency when we have sinned[, but also] the enabling gift and power of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon." Piper leans on 1 Corinthians 15:10 and continues by sharing that efforts to be obedient to God are through God - not of our own effort - and Paul highlights that God does this through grace. We are referred as well to 1 Peter 4:11 where Peter writes that God supplies the strength to serve - through His grace. We are given yet another text in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 where God works to equip us "according to the grace of our God." Piper wraps the devotion by sharing that "[t]he obedience that gives God pleasure is produced by the power of God’s grace through faith. The same dynamic is at work at every stage of the Christian life. The power of God’s grace that saves through faith (Ephesians 2:8) is the same power of God’s grace that sanctifies through faith."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good as You pour out Your grace daily for me as forgiveness and power to be who You intend for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such riches and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and 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.

Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

1 Samuel 15

Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 1 Samuel 15:24

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Saul and how his obedience to men came at the price of disobedience to God. In 1 Samuel 15:3, Samuel - as God's messenger - gives Saul specific commands about how to go to war with Amalek: "devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."  However, we learn in v9 that Saul does not do this and then in v10-11 we see God's response, followed by Samuel.  "The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night."  John Piper points us to Isaiah 51:12 where we see additional text that reminds us not to fear man but to fear our Maker.   Isaiah 51:7-8 is even more pointed:

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

In an age of cancel culture, where there is widespread "fear of man" with regards to faith and expressing one's views consistent with scripture, we must stand firm in the faith.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good...You protect me from harm and seal me - forever...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide such refuge.  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. 

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

Romans 10

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we pray for unbelievers - similar to yesterday where John Piper sought to help us see what kind of prayer pleases God. Piper looks at Romans 10, where Paul - a Jew - seeks to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Israelite nation. He points out that Paul does not pray for "ineffectual influences, but for effectual influences," and that we should pray as such. Effectual influences are described (not exhaustively - see also this post) as promises of God and examples from scripture provided by Piper include:

• God, take out of their flesh the heart of stone and give them a new heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19)
• Circumcise their heart so that they love you! (Deuteronomy 30:6)
• Father, put your Spirit within them and cause them to walk in your statutes. (Ezekiel 36:27)
• Grant them repentance and a knowledge of the truth that they may escape from the snare of the devil. (2 Timothy 2:25–26)
• Open their hearts so that they believe the gospel! (Acts 16:14) 

The implication here is that while we can pray for positive earthly influences for unbelievers (a gospel-centered church, Godly friends and disciple-makers, etc.), there is no substitute for God in how He is sovereign and provident over election and salvation.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are so good and You saved me - pursuing me and giving me a new heart of flesh - that I can desire and seek You.  Thank You Jesus!  Amazing grace - of course I am not deserving.  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 for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior - circumcise their heart so that they love you!  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 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 continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at - once again as it did yesterday on a broader perspective - what kinds of prayer pleases God.  John Piper first looks at what kind of prayer does NOT please God, and he points us to Isaiah 66:3-4.  Here Piper emphasizes God's word where He says in reference to the Israelites that disappointed Him: "when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight." These words reveal an arrogant posture towards God - when God calls and we don't answer - this reflects a heart where one feels that they don't need God or that they can hide from God.  Either way, such an attitude is fool hearty as we all need a Savior and God sees everything.  In contrast, we see in verse 2 an attitude of humility, where God describes the prayer that pleases Him.  It comes from those whose heart is humble and contrite - and who tremble at God's word, showing God the respect He deserves as the One True God. Piper also points us to Psalm 51:17 where David is explicit in answering this morning's question:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Remain humble! 

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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. I know all comes from You and You are faithful, providing for all needs.  I am not deserving of how You save and how You provide - Your grace is amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  Please help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

2 Corinthians 5

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we please God.  John Piper's starting point for this question is an examination of the "character of God revealed in scripture."  Luke 16:14-15 is provided as an example of what does not please God as Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their love of money, status and position - love of the world. At the end of the devotion, Piper provides Psalm 147:11 as the psalmist (likely David) writes the "Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."  To help us better understand God's character - Piper gives us two contrasting analogies - one a watering trough and the other a mountain spring - as he shares "[i]f you want to glorify the worth of a watering trough, you work hard to keep it full and useful. But if you want to glorify the worth of a spring, you do it by getting down on your hands and knees and drinking to your heart’s satisfaction, until you have the refreshment and strength to go back down in the valley and tell the people what you’ve found." Piper extends the analogy of the mountain spring as he ends the devotion by sharing "God is the kind of God who will be pleased with the one thing I have to offer: my thirst. That’s why the sovereign freedom and self-sufficiency of God are so precious to me: they are the foundation of my hope that God is delighted not by the resourcefulness of bucket brigades, but by the bending down of broken sinners to drink at the fountain of grace."  The devotion ends with Piper exhorting us to seek to please God based on a right view of Him as revealed in scripture - seek Him daily!

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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 abounding in love...for those who seek Him.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace, compassion and love for 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.

[A]s the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62

[A]s the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today uses the analogy of a marriage and how the honeymoon never ends as it describes God's love for us. Piper shares: "[God] is talking about honeymoon intensity and honeymoon pleasures and honeymoon energy and excitement and enthusiasm and enjoyment. He is trying to get into our hearts what he means when he says he rejoices over us with all his heart." Piper refers us to Jeremiah 32:41 and Zephaniah 3:17 to emphasize that God's love, intensity, pleasures, energy, excitement, and enthusiasm is with all of His heart - unlike an early marriage where it is often said that the "honeymoon is over." Incredible!  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who pursues me with all of Your heart and You rejoice over me - incredible.  Thank You Jesus for such blessings.  Yet 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 hearts, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you[.]

Deuteronomy 30

For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you[.] Deuteronomy 30:9b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the extent to which God delights in blessing us.  John Piper starts the devotion with a bold word of encouragement: "God does not bless us begrudgingly. There is a kind of eagerness about the beneficence of God. He does not wait for us to come to him. He seeks us out, because it is his pleasure to do us good. God is not waiting for us; he is pursuing us."  Piper points us to Psalm 23:6 where the text (NLT) describes God pursuing us. Additional scripture from Exodus 34:6 is offered to show the contrast between God's anger and His mercy. God describes Himself as "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness[.]"  Piper continues to press on his point by sharing that "God loves to show mercy. Let me say it again. God loves to show mercy. He is not hesitant or indecisive or tentative in his desires to do good to his people. His anger must be released by a stiff safety lock, but his mercy has a hair trigger." Jeremiah 9:24 is yet another example from scripture that highlights how God ceaselessly seeks to bless us. As he moves to close the devotion, Piper wants us to understand that God is unlike people - whose "emotions go up and down," and who let us down.  God is constant and He never lets us down - His goodness is described as akin to Niagara Falls which flows at a rate of 186,000 tons of water every minute - God continues to bless us!  What an uplifting word this morning!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who I know pursues me without fail and never stops seeking to bless me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You pursue and bless 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.

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

Romans 8

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

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at who killed Jesus.  Of course, many played a role, including all of humanity whose sin needed punishment through sacrifice, but also the Jewish elders who condemned Him, Pilate, and the soldiers who stood idly by and even mocked Him.  Yet John Piper shares in this devotion that we must remember that it was God the Father who killed Jesus.  Piper refers us to Romans 8:32, Acts 2:23, Isaiah 53:4,10, and Romans 3:25 where it says this in both the Old and New Testament. Piper then moves to describe Romans 8:32 as the "most precious verse in the Bible to [him] because the foundation of the all-encompassing promise of God’s future grace is that the Son of God bore in his body all my punishment and all my guilt and all my condemnation and all my blame and all my fault and all my corruption, so that I might stand before a great and holy God, forgiven, reconciled, justified, accepted, and the beneficiary of unspeakable promises of pleasure forever and ever at his right hand." Absorb, and understand this truth and thank God for the salvation He provides, and the incredible blessings that flow from your salvation. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, and who died for me that I have life now to the full and forever in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift...of such future 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.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 12

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the implications that arise for our prayer based on Paul's text in Romans where he exhorts believers to avoid thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think. Piper explains that we can avoid pride by seeing that not only whatever gifts we possess are by the grace of God, but so is the very "faith with which we use those gifts." Both, as expressed by Paul, are "according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."  God is the One doing the assignment. Piper than pivots to prayer where he refers us to Luke 22:31-32 where Jesus prays for Peters faith - that it be strengthened and that it not fail.  Piper also refers us to Mark 9:24 where the man of the epileptic son cries out to God to help him with his unbelief - to heal his son. Bottom line - as highlighted by Piper as he wraps the devotion - is that we must "acknowledges that without God we cannot believe as we ought to believe." Humility is core to our faith as it gives us an ability to submit to God, not just for our salvation, but also daily for forgiveness, our daily bread, to be equipped to serve, etc. Be humble!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me everything - my salvation, my daily bread, everything!  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.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.

2 Corinthians 1

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 2 Corinthians 1:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how believers should trust in Jesus in the present and to simultaneously "believe that his promises will come true." John Piper describes these as not two separate faiths as "[t]rusting Jesus — believing in Jesus for salvation — means believing that he keeps his word."  Piper goes on to share that "[b]eing satisfied in the crucified and risen Jesus includes the belief that at every future moment, to all eternity, nothing will separate us from his love, or keep him from working all things together for our good. And that “good” is ultimately seeing and savoring the beauty and worth of God in Christ as our supreme Treasure."  Piper refers us to Romans 8:32 to reinforce his claim. Piper wraps today's devotion by stating that "[i]f our present enjoyment of Christ now — our present faith — does not have in it the Yes to all God’s promises, it will not embrace the power for radical service in the strength that God (in every future moment) will supply (1 Peter 4:11)." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are faithful and I can hold firm to Your promises - that they will come true.  You were faithful to the cross and You have never left or forsaken me - I can look forward to Your promises for the future with both hope and confidence!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are faithful.  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 sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

Proverbs 22

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” Proverbs 22:13

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how all of us, believers included, twist reason to serve our evil and rebellious ways.  John Piper uses this devotion to convict believers hearts into seeing that and how we do this.  He first starts with the sluggard - which most of us might dismiss when characterizing ourselves - by parsing how readers of this Proverb might expect fear to be the primary emotion of the text but use of the sluggard implies laziness instead because the sluggard is rationalizing the circumstance of a lion in the streets to stay inside and avoid action and work.  Piper, seeking to apply this text then quickly moves to all believers by sharing that "we need to learn....that our heart exploits our mind to justify what we want. That is, our deepest desires precede the rational functioning of our minds and incline the mind to perceive and think in a way that will make the desires look right, even if they’re wrong."  Our efforts to warp reason so that we can continue in our sin is a powerful dynamic - Piper refers us to John 3:19 to help us see this message through other text.  Here, it's not that we twist circumstances to validate our action or inaction, its that we use darkness to hide our sin - if no one knows we can continue in our sin.  Convicting message indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is doing a work in me so that I can no longer be a slave to sin - thank You Jesus!  Help me be in action to not just do what You want me to do but also to expose my sin to me so that I can seek Your Spirit and assistance to remove impurities in my life.  I am undeserving of the sanctifying work You have already done in me - incredible 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. 

"Lord, teach us to pray[.]"

Luke 11

"Lord, teach us to pray[.]" Luke 11:1

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God seeks for us to pray.  John Piper helps us see that the focus is not that we should pray - we of course know this - but it is that our prayer should first and foremost recognize our sinful nature and pray for our own forgiveness.  Piper highlights Luke 11:3 and shares that "Jesus assumes that we need to seek forgiveness virtually every time we pray." He then shares that "God does not turn away the prayers of sinners when they pray like this." Piper also uses Luke 11:13 where Jesus calls out the disciples as "evil," to highlight the call to pray for forgiveness. Piper then continues by saying that in Luke 11:13, "[Jesus] meant that as long as this fallen age lasts, even his own disciples will have an evil bent that pollutes everything they do, but doesn’t keep them from doing much good as they rely on his grace and power....We are sinners and we are beggars. And if we recognize this sin, renounce it, fight it, and cling to the cross of Christ as our hope, then God will hear us and answer our prayers."  Humility and repentance are core attributes of faith.  God to Jesus daily recognizing not just that we come empty handed (with nothing to offer but our life as a living sacrifice) but that our hands and lives are stained with sin.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good to me - forgiving my sins not just once but every time I ask for it - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You forgive and sanctify me as I turn towards You.  These blessings are overwhelming and I don't deserve them as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus for my sins of commission and omission...help me 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.  

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we are to worship, as worship is biblically defined not just by church worship services, but by all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Eating, drinking, working (see also this post and Ephesians 6:7-8), hobbies, etc. We must remember that as the text today is written, God bought us with a price (His life), we received through grace forgiveness of sins, fullness of life now and for eternity, and as such we should respond through worship - yet not just on Sunday morning.  Every day...every moment. Paul expresses this also in Romans 12:1 where he says "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." We exist to glorify God - plain and simple.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who paid the ultimate price for me - and You gave me forgiveness of sins, and fullness of life now and for eternity - incredible!  I am not deserving of such gifts and blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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. 

[T]he life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 1

[T]he life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how grace through faith produce both justification ("imputation of righteousness") and sanctification ("impartation of righteousness") and Piper unpacks how both are "not two different kinds of faith.  He explains by sharing that "faith is the act of the soul that connects with grace, and receives it, and channels it as the power of obedience, and guards grace from being nullified through human boasting." He further explains the connection between faith and sanctification by sharing that "[s]anctification is by the Spirit and by faith. Which is another way of saying that it is by grace and by faith. The Spirit is “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). God’s way of making us holy is by the Spirit; but the Spirit works through faith in the gospel."  Piper wants us to see that justification and sanctification are both works of grace which flows from faith - see also John 1:16 where John writes about "grace upon grace." Piper, most importantly, wants us to see the "all-sufficiency of grace" and as a result the "glorious trustworthiness of God." Amen!  Embrace the all-sufficiency of God's grace and the glorious trustworthiness of God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all-sufficient and gloriously trustworthy!  Thank You for Your grace.  I am not deserving.  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 you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death[.]

Colossians 1

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death[.] Colossians 1:21-22a

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how believers, apart from God's grace, are hostile to God - in their minds. In this devotion, John Piper starts with the good news - which is for believers.  Believers know that PRIOR to our salvation, we WERE hostile to God - this is stated not just in Colossians 1 but elsewhere in scripture, including Romans 5:8, 10. Through Christ's death and resurrection on the cross, those who confess Him as Lord and Savior have salvation, hope, power, etc. Yet for those who do not confess sin, repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, eternal damnation awaits.  Piper looks at the pre-election condition of being "alienated and hostile [to God] in mind" and shares that for those who are not elected by Christ, "hostility is really there toward the true God, but people do not allow themselves to think about the true God. They imagine God to be the way they would like him to be, which seldom includes any possibility that they might be in really serious trouble with him. But concerning the God who really exists — a God who is sovereign over all things, including sickness and calamity — we were all hostile to him, Paul says. Deep down, we hated his absolute power and authority.  That any of us is saved is owing to the wonderful truth that the death of Christ obtained the grace by which God conquered our hearts and caused us to love the One we once hated."  Believers should understand this truth and be overwhelmed in awe and love for God who turned towards us, and loved us first (1 John 4:19).  At the same time, we should continue to show mercy to those who have not turned towards God and seek to snatch them from the fire (Jude 1:22-23).  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me a heart of flesh so that I could love You.  You are worthy of my love and my life as a living sacrifice - You are so good!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You bless 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 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 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God provides for all of our needs, and through this devotion, John Piper seeks for us to see how God does this (quoting James H. Taylor) "not only for the eternal salvation of our souls, but also for the practical provision of our daily bread and financial support." Piper uses the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, including words and actions from its founder and the great-grandson of its founder, as well as Matthew 6:33 to illustrate his message.  Matthew 6:25-34 provides a broader message about how we are not to worry - and of course we can avoid worry if we have strong faith that God will hear and respond to our prayers, and He will provide.  We don't know how God will provide but He will (Isaiah 55:8).  Over the past few days, Piper has used Abraham and others from the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11, in his Solid Joys daily devotion series, to deliver messages on faith.  Today the urge is that we see faith as the "the all-sufficiency of God’s future grace." Piper wraps the devotion today but sharing that "[l]ives of faith are the great mirror of the dependability of God."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You DO provide for all of my needs, big and small as You know all of the minute intimate details of my life, hold all of these details in Your hands and You love me - this I KNOW.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me, help me overcome and turn from such 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.