May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

 2 Thessalonians 2

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 and I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book (aka Lab) Part 1 for this text.  Here, Piper focuses on v13 and while six other labs focus on the remaining verses of the text.  As unpacked in the lab, Paul shares why he is thankful for the Thessalonians: 

• they are loved by Lord; while God holds out in "many and various ways" salvation for all people, He uniquely loves those are believers, the elect (not of own choosing or doing), whom He makes alive in Christ with this unique "choosing or saving love", also described by Paul as great love; see Ephesians 2:4-6 
• they are chosen by Lord; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 (salvation not of own doing)
• they were chosen before creation (or from the beginning as some translations use, which is consistent with scripture elsewhere) - use of from the beginning vs first fruits de-emphasizes how the Thessalonians were the first converts by Paul which is not true, the Philippians were; see also Ephesians 1:3-6, 2 Timothy 1:9
• they are for salvation; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 

Piper concludes the lab by sharing that Paul seeks for us (believers) to deeply understand how we are uniquely loved by God - unlike everyone else.  Piper refers us to 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - where Paul prays that God direct our hearts to the love of God - this unique and great love and to find rest, joy, confidence, courage, peace, etc. in love of God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - loving me beyond human comprehension.  Thank You Jesus for Your love for me.  I am not deserving of such great love!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please 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 the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

 2 Thessalonians 2

But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Daniel 7:26-27

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is John MacArthur's discussion of the man of lawlessness as raised in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as part of Paul's description of the great tribulation.  Per MacArthur, this man of lawlessness is the culmination of all false teachers and deceivers throughout human history who speak at behest of Satan.  Although we understand him to be the final antichrist - we must understand that per 1 John 1, 2:18, 22, 4:3, and 2 John 1:7 all who deny Christ in the present age (before Christ returns) are the spirit of this final antichrist.  Attributes of this man of lawlessness/sin include: 

• lawless, blasphemer
• acts in defiance of Christ 
• destructive of all things Godly
• final man of sin - final earthly figure
• plays a crucial role in last days
• culmination of all hatred towards Christ, blasphemy, false teachers, etc.

MacArthur urges us to understand that the spirit of the antichrist is in the world today - it is real.  He provides one example - Adolph Hitler - and Hitler is described as possessed of Satan. We are also urged to understand how scripture portrays the antichrist in Ezekiel 38-39, Daniel 7-9, 11, Zechariah 11, and in Revelation as the beast.  The man of lawlessness represents a scary time for those who are not part of God's elect (by God's choosing - not of any effort on their/our own).  He will dominate the whole world during the great tribulation, but will be destroyed per Daniel 7:23-27. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from harm as You arm me with all that I need to battle sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I know sin (and the antichrist) is real and I continue to have sin in my life - as such I am not deserving of the blessings You pour out for me.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 2 Thessalonians 2

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus once again is 2 Thessalonians 2, and I lean on DesiringGod.com's Ask Pastor John feature where someone poses the question who is "Who is the Man of Lawlessness" discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. 

Piper attempts to avoid that which is less certain and focuses instead on what the text describes and is more certain: 

• man; "a human, not an angel, not a demon" (v3)
  
• quintessentially lawless, subject to no law or lawgiver/authority (v3)
  
• claims to be god, but opposed to all things God, and so the anti-christ (v4); see also 1 John 2:18
  
• quintessentially doomed (v3)
  
• not Satan but animated by, and in the service of Satan (v9)
  
• as a man he has supernatural power, albeit in service of great falsehood (v9)
  
• unparalleled in his ability to deceive (making unrighteousness a pleasure) (v10, 12)
  

Piper goes on to say that Paul's words here describe and unpack Jesus's prophecy from Matthew 24:10-13. Piper concludes by sharing that "I think some people try to get around this text by saying, 'Oh, there’ve been lots of men of lawlessness. They’ve cropped up in all kinds of seasons of history.' Well, that’s true, but it’s irrelevant because this man of lawlessness is going to be destroyed by the final fiery second coming."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good to me - I know that all I have is from You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and 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.

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

 2 Thessalonians 2

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, I my focus is once again 2 Thessalonians 2, and I am assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians to unpack the text. The commentary's:

• Main idea for the text: "God gives us a glimpse into the future so that we can live hopefully and expectantly in the present."
• Introduction for the text (excerpts): "This portion of Paul’s letter introduces some new material, including the events surrounding a coming world leader called the “man of lawlessness” (2:3). This individual will be the personification of evil like this world has never seen....His purpose is twofold: to usurp the place of God and to deceive those who are perishing. But as quickly as he enters the scene of human history, the return of Jesus Christ will bring an abrupt end to his reign of terror (2:8)....Paul is less interested in satisfying our eschatological whims and more concerned with bringing the Thessalonians pastoral encouragement."

The commentary then provides the following divisions (covering through v12):

1. Deception Distorts Reality (2:1-3a, 5): "Satan’s goal has [always] been to deceive God’s people and to thwart God’s purposes (Gen 3:1; John 8:44)....[His] battle plan includes two main strategies: exploit our weaknesses, and blind us to God’s truth."  While the Thessalonians are under attack for their faith (see 2 Thessalonians 1), Paul builds on his efforts from chapter one where he seeks to comfort the Thessalonians by reminding them of doctrine he previously shared concerning Christ's second coming.  In this chapter, his focus is on end times where Satan (referred to as the "man of lawlessness") is no longer restrained (by God) from doing harm as he sees fit, but instead allowed to rule briefly.  The case is made for a "pre-tribulational view of the rapture" where Christ will "snatch" the church away into His protection prior to Satan allowing to rule. Paul shares these details with the church in Thessalonians to give them comfort knowing what will come and not to be deceived about it from false teachers.  The commentary describes how "[t]he only corrective to false teaching is repeatedly and consistently to expose people to true teaching— God’s revealed Word (Jude 3-4).   
   
2. Rebellion Intensifies in History (2:3b-4,6-10a): "Paul points the Thessalonians to three future events: the apostasy, the revelation of the man of lawlessness, and the removal of the restrainer (2:3b, 7-8)."  The man of lawlessness is described as the anti-christ as he opposes God in all ways: "God stands for creation; he is the son of destruction; God demands worship; he sits in God’s sanctuary; God declares truth; he peddles unrighteous deception; Jesus was revealed from heaven; he will be revealed from earth; Jesus will come for His church; he will come in Satan’s power." 
3. God Controls Our Destiny (2:8b, 10b-12): "The antichrist exits the stage of history just as quickly as he entered when God seals his fate with the coming of Jesus Christ. The same fate awaits every person who will be deceived by the antichrist. Even during the dreadful Day of the Lord, God’s purposes will prevail."  A chilling warning to those who deny Christ is provided: "[c]ondemnation is the inevitable outcome of deliberate and willful disregard for and rejection of the truth of the gospel. Whether a person chooses to accept or reject salvation is a matter of the heart."  

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

 2 Thessalonians 2

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church - today I start with week 2 which looks at 2 Thessalonians 2 and the memory verse remains Titus 2:11-12. Here, Paul builds on his discussion of the second coming of Christ to describe how Satan plays a role now and during the second coming.  Paul seeks to encourage the Thessalonians by sharing glimpses of end times so that they will know it when it does come and not be frightening - as it will be frightening indeed for those who have spurned Christ.  In vv1-2 Paul warns the church of false teachers who claim that the second coming has already arrived.  Paul then shares in vv3-9 in more details how God is restraining Satan now but during the second coming, Satan will no longer be restrained as Christ prepares for battle when Satan will be destroyed forever. Vv10-12 serves as a strong warning for those who do not repent of their sins and surrender to Christ as their Lord and Savior.  In vv13-16 Paul offers tremendous encouragement to believers to stand firm waiting for the second coming.  Believers take heart and be encouraged!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good God who comforts and encourages me in this life by sharing Your plan for the ultimate defeat of sin-forever.  Thank You for Your Word for giving me confidence about what awaits and for power and protection now to battle against sin.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me 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.

For all things are possible with God.

Mark 10

For all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27b

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church - this morning my d-group gathers to discuss 2 Thessalonians 1 and Titus 2.  My individual study, however leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Mark 10:27b and how this text provides "Medicine for the Missionary."  John Piper directs this devotion to Christian Hedonist missionaries, which can be broadly defined as all believers who assume the mantle to bring the Good News into the world because they can't help but spread the joy that overflows from the grace of God into their hearts.  Piper writes: "[s]overeign grace is the spring of life for the Christian Hedonist. For what the Christian Hedonist [missionary] loves best is the experience of the sovereign grace of God filling him, and overflowing for the good of others."  He refers us to 1 Corinthians 3:7, 15:10, Romans 11:36, 15:18, John 15:5, and 2 Corinthians 3:5 and how missionaries rely on the grace of God to accomplish what only He can do. Missionary work is seen as difficult, requiring encouragement, strength, and hope.  Jesus's words from Mark 10:27b (see also Luke 18 and Matthew 19) provide this encouragement, strength and hope.  Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that Mark 10:27b provides "the antidote to despair and the antidote to pride — the perfect missionary medicine."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father and I know You love me beyond what my words can describe.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love, the hope You provide, and for how You arm me for battle against sin.  My sin is great and it is daily.  I pray that I remain in You and You in me.  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[,]...gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2

Jesus Christ[,]...gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:13-14

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is once again Titus 2:11-12 - the memory verse for the 1st two weeks of our study - unlike yesterday I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book (Lab) for Titus 2:11-14. First, John Piper shares how the grace of God (v11) trains (v12) us negatively to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions," and positively to "live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives." He then unpacks how the grace of God also gives us an ability to wait for the "blessed hope" (v13) believers have as we trust in the promise that Jesus will return. He then unpacks how God not only gave us grace, but also himself (v14) - Jesus Christ - "to redeem us from all lawlessness [negative] and to purify [positive] for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."  He wraps the lab by describing how God's grace or Christ's self-giving trains us "by producing in us a joyful, confident, hope of glory."

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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 - training me to become more like You and to equip me for Your will for my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace, compassion, training, and equipping - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age[.]

Titus 2

 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age[.] Titus 2:11-12

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is Titus 2:11-12 - the memory verse for the 1st two weeks of our study.  As a backdrop, because I have never done a study specifically of Titus, other than a reading as part of a plan to read through the entire Bible, I take a step back and read an overview of Titus, and reviewed  additional background here and here. Titus is similar to Timothy in that Paul has taken both under his wing to grow them into church leaders.  Paul has left Titus in Crete to establish Godly order and practices in the churches - see Titus 1:5.  Titus 2:11-12 gives us two passive imperatives that result from the grace of God - while also reminding us how this same grace - most importantly - saves all people:

The grace of God has appeared...

...Bringing salvation for all people...

...Training us to:

1. renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and...
2. to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in the present age.

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, giving me power to accomplish Your will and to battle against sin - 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.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 and I lean on one of John Piper's Look[s] at the Book (or video labs) for this text - there are three parts that "look" at this text and I reviewed part 1. As he unpacks the text, Piper first describes how Paul describes his prayer by looking both forward and backward through the use of "to this end" - referring to v10 where Paul looks backwards to explain his use of "to this end" when he writes that when Jesus "comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed," and to v12 where Paul uses "to this end" and looks forwards where he writes he how prays "so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him." He then shares how although some may assume that you don't need to pray that God be glorified (indeed God does not anything), Piper believes this is nonsense and points to how Jesus told us to pray in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 - see also this.  We are praying for God's purposes and that we may be "worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and and every work of faith by his power."  Calling is defined as being called to salvation, sanctification and to glorification. Made worthy is defined of being equipped - referring back to 2 Thessalonians 1:5.  As he concludes the lab, Piper sums up the text with the following divisions:

1. The desired "end" or outcome of Paul's prayer is that Jesus Christ is glorified in believers and that believers are glorified in him.
2. Paul prays this purpose of God "down" into reality
   
3. Paul asks God that He provide believers power by faith that we are equipped for salvation, sanctification and glorification

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, yet I am not deserving of such 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.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, [t]o the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[.]

2 Thessalonians 1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, [t]o the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[.] 2 Thessalonians 1:1

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, my focus is 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 and I lean on one of John Piper's Look[s] at the Book (or video labs) for this text - there are seven parts that "look" at this text and I reviewed part 3. In this video, Piper hones in on how Paul (and scripture in general) refers to the church based on the original Greek text, and its later translation into Latin and then English.  In watching this lab, there is one broad takeaway: 

Church derives from ekklesia - the Greek word from the original text.  This word per Piper appears more than 100 times in the New Testament (see also Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon as leveraged here).  It broadly refers to an assembly of people, and not just an assembly of God's people, and as it is inclusive of several possible definitions.  The implication Piper sees is that we should not think of the church as a building but as an assembly of God's people - wherever they are.  Piper shares how this definition gives the church power as power is given to God's people and not to an organizational structure confined to a single church/building/campus or even a denomination.  

Piper then proceeds to share how this definition of church as an assembly carried over to the Latin translation which of course was dominant in 1500 years of church history, and embodied in the Catholic church. He describes that when William Tyndale, as part of the Protestant Reformation, translated the Bible into English, his translation efforts were thought of as heresy, not just because the reformation itself undermined the organized church, but also because of the methods used to translate the Bible.  Such efforts ultimately led to Tyndale's persecution and ultimate execution.  Piper quotes David Daniel who shares that in translating ekklesia into congregation (vs church) plus how he translated other words*, Tyndale "undercut the the entire sacramental structure of the thousand year church throughout Europe."  This decentralization of the church of course to put power into the assembly or congregation - God's people (vs in church hierarchy and in the Pope) - was core to growth of the church beyond its Catholic roots. 

*translation of ekklesia into congregation vs church, presbuteros into elder vs priest, metanoeo as repent vs penance, exomologeo into admit vs confess

Piper also seeks for us to further understand from the text (v1) how attributes of assembly are defined as united "in "God the Father" and united in "Jesus Christ our Lord."   

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!  I am not deserving of such love and 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.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

2 Thessalonians 1

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, I my focus is 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12, assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians unpack the text. 

For this text, the commentary's: 

• Title: When God Balances the Books 
  
• Main idea:  "When Jesus is revealed from heaven, He will bring relief to those who love Him and retribution to those who reject Him."
• Introduction (excerpts): God's people [almost certainly true of Thessalonians] often struggle to understand "the pain, affliction, and suffering that is often associated with following Christ. God’s people have always desired to know “how long” until God would bring an end to such injustice, to right all wrongs, and to judge those who harm His followers."  We are referred to Habakkuk 1:2-3 and Psalm 13:1-4 for scriptural examples where God's people demonstrate this struggle.  Luke 12:2-8 is also provided as it shares how "God is not offended by such questions. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that He told us to ask them."
  

Divisions provided by the commentary:

1. The Hopeful Future of Those Who Are Faithful (1:6-7, 10-12): "One of the most difficult things to do when walking through painful times is to keep the proper perspective. A loss of perspective is almost always followed by a loss of purpose. When our mind becomes fixed on what we don’t like about our circumstances, we will invariably fail to consider what God may be doing in our circumstances."  Believers are encouraged to draw near to God and remain near to God through spiritual disciplines and faith - we are referred to Isaiah 46:9-10 as the commentary provides this text for us to maintain a Godly perspective on our circumstances - to look towards the eternal for hope, rest, and rewards. Paul is seeking to do this for the Thessalonians as they face persecutions and affliction.  The commentary also points to the text and how it seeks for us to maintain a Godly perspective in our prayer lives.  God knows all of our needs and He provides - such prayers for temporal circumstances are "not sinful." However, "Jesus expects that our prayers will be focused on much more significant matters like glorifying His Name, expanding His kingdom, and accomplishing His will (Matthew 6:9-13, 32-33). We must learn to view the temporary things through the lenses of God’s eternal plans." The commentary also shares how Paul pivots from an encouragement that comes from having a Godly eternal perspective on our daily lives to a reminder in v11 that as we wait for Christ's second coming, there is more work to do, and that we focus on God's glory in all that we do.
   
2. The Fateful Future of Those Who Do Evil (1:6, 8-9): Here of course, we are reminded of the harsh punishment that awaits those who deny God and who are the source of persecution and affliction.  Believers should not worry about justice - God's justice is perfect.
   

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!  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.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Yesterday my focus was an unassisted (no commentary) study of 2 Thessalonians 1.  Today, I read this text once again, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians for assistance to unpack the text. The commentary broadly breaks down the text as:

1. Good News about God’s Church < 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5
   
2. When God Balances the Books < 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12

To align with the schedule below, where yesterday was Week 1/Day 1, today my focus will be Good News about God’s Church < 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5.

The commentary's main idea for the text: "[w]hen a church is grounded in its faith it will be fruitful in its work." The commentary's introduction for the text further develops on this thought by sharing, in light of Paul's first letter where he acknowledged the Thessalonians for welcoming the gospel as an infant church, Paul is now boasting (v4) about them in this second letter as he is encouraged and thankful (v3) for their growth and steadfast faithfulness (in the face of persecution and affliction - v4) - again this is a church he, Silas, and Timothy started.  The commentary then unpacks today's text (2 Thessalonians 1:1-5) in four divisions:

1. A Faith That Is Real (1:1-3a): The commentary highlights the growth of the Thessalonian church and how this led to attacks from Satan in the form of persecution, etc. Paul commends the church for their steadfast faith in the faces of these attacks.  He focuses on how the foundation of faith is based on believers acknowledging the amazing grace Christ gives us through salvation.  This grace gives us peace to persevere. "A church must never tire of speaking about and resting in the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. No challenge is too great for any church that remains anchored to these wonderful truths." Paul also commends the Thessalonians for their growth in Christ.  He seeks for them to be encouraged to keep growing.  "Based on the enthusiastic way in which Paul applauds their growth in the first four verses, one can imagine that His words of encouragement must have brought much relief to this weary church."       
   
2. A Love That Grows Strong (1:3b): The commentary refers to James 2:14-18 and how the text their highlights how faith produces fruit or good works. In the text for today Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love for one another.  The commentary then describes how "[f]aith and love work together," and we are referred to John 13:34-35 where John highlights how love is evidence of Christ.
   
3. A Hope That Goes Deep (1:4): The commentary describes hope as the view of "affliction and suffering through the lens of an enduring hope— not the kind of endurance that waits to thank God when the trial passes, but the kind of endurance that thanks God even if the trial does not pass." This certainly is the view of the Thessalonians. 
   
4. A Future That Is Secure (1:5): God's righteous judgement (v5) gives us hope that whatever suffering we endure now is only temporary as He is saving a place for us in Heaven where there will be no more suffering or tears (Revelation 21:4).  With such guaranteed security, we should not be grumbling about "miscarriage of justice" as Satan was almost certainly tempting the Thessalonians. "As strange as this may sound to our ears, their suffering was evidence that God loved them, not a sign that He had abandoned them. Paul is reassuring them that their suffering has an eternal purpose." 
   

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!  I need You desperately in my life for all things and for Your protection against Satan's attacks.  I know You give me everything I need to defeat sin in my life and You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin 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]our steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring... is evidence of the righteous judgment of God...since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels[.]

2 Thessalonians 1

[Y]our steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring... is evidence of the righteous judgment of God...since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels[.] 2 Thessalonians 1:4b-7

Today I pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  For the next five days my focus is 2 Thessalonians 1 - today I read and did an unassisted (no commentary) study of this text.  Here, Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, a church that he started (with Silas and Timothy) on his second missionary journey.  He is thankful for this church for their growing faith (v3), and their love for one another (v3) (with the latter being the 2nd greatest commandment - see Matthew 22:34-40).  He offers words of encouragement to the church in Thessalonica to continue to endure persecutions and afflictions (v4), emphasizing how their steadfastness and faith (v4)  in the face of persecutions and afflictions is evidence of God's righteous judgement (v5).  This righteous judgement makes them worthy of the kingdom of God (v5) because the faith and strength to endure this suffering brings glory to God because this suffering is for the sake of the church and the church's mission to serve and bring glory to God.  This is evidence of God's righteous judgment BECAUSE God - when He returns again for Judgement Day (second coming of Christ) -will repay those afflicting and persecuting the church, and will reward believers who suffer due to their faith (vv6-10).  Paul then closes the text in this chapter by offering encouragement via prayers for the Thessalonians (v11-12). 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper discusses marriage using Ephesians 5:25-30 as the text for biblical marriage. He dives into the topic by first sharing that "[t]he reason there is so much misery in marriage is not that husbands and wives seek their own pleasure, but that they do not seek it in the pleasure of their spouses. The biblical mandate to husbands and wives is to seek your own joy in the joy of your spouse." He then points to the text and emphasizes that the model for marriage - led by a husband that "loves his wife as Christ loved the church" (v25). Paul then unpacks the love Christ has for the church by sharing that He gave himself up for the church (v25) so that he can "sanctify and cleanse her" (v26).  All of this is done ultimately so that "Christ can present the church to Himself in splendor" (v27). Piper then refers us to Hebrews 12:2 where the author of the text there describes that for the "joy that was set before him, [Christ] endured the cross" - Piper highlights this text by sharing that this joy can be "tied" back to Ephesians 5:25-27 where Paul describes Christ's marriage to the church and " the joy of presenting the church to himself in blood-bought splendor." Piper encapsulates these thoughts with the following: "Jesus does not intend to have a dirty and unholy wife. Therefore, he was willing to die to sanctify and cleanse his betrothed so he could present to himself a wife “in splendor.” He gained the desire of his heart by giving himself up in suffering for the good of his bride." Piper then concludes the devotional by highlighting how vv28-30 applies this same message to wives, and also by referring us to Matthew 22:39 where we are to love others and this of course is inclusive of wives.  Piper's final thoughts: "[m]arriage is an extraordinary place of application. It is not merely “as” you love yourself. But you are loving yourself. When you love the person with whom God has made you one flesh, you are loving yourself. That is, your greatest joy is found in seeking the greatest joy of your spouse."

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

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10-11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.  Here, Paul builds on his warnings against idolatry (1Corinthians 10:1-22) by stepping back and looking big picture at Christian freedom - theology that is unpacked here in detail at DesiringGod.com. In v23, Paul states clearly that our freedom from the law does not mean that we are free to do things that do not forward God's call for our lives both corporately and individually - we are to focus on those things that help the mission and build others up.  In v24, this is amplified with Paul's words that we not focus on selves but on others - demonstrating Christ's model to love God, then love others (most important commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).  In vv25-26, Paul elaborates on Christian freedom for believers by using Psalm 24:1 as scriptural support to describe how they are not shackled to Old Testament ceremonial law.   In vv27-30, Paul uses the example of being a dinner guest of an unbeliever who serves food offered as sacrifice (as part of an idol worship ritual) to hit home Christian freedom - our liberty should be directed towards God's mission for us.  This means we must be flexible as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.  This is made plain in vv31-33.  V11:1 hammers it home - be imitators of Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me freedom from the law - so that I can be slave to Christ.  And this is a blessing and not a burden!  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.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace....Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace....Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:1-3, 15-16

Today, I am pausing in my study of 1 Corinthians to dig deeper into studies provided by my church - Bay Leaf Baptist Church as part of its Multiply initiative - from my study booklet, my focus this morning for reading is Ephesians 4:1-16, and 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 for memorization. The study booklet, on page 34 shares how "the first three chapters of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes about the beauty of the gospel message. The final three chapters of Ephesians are an explanation of how a transformed follower of Jesus should live in light of the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul begins this teaching with an exhortation to be unified in Christ." Paul makes this exhortation in Ephesians 4 by first (vv1-3) urging believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Paul then (vv5-6) defines unity and how believers are bonded together (one body) by "one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father."  In v6, Paul further reminds us that the One True God we serve is "over all and through all and in all" (God reigns over all). In vv7-12, Paul says that regardless of how we serve and are bonded together through faith in the One True God, Jesus Christ graced us with spiritual gifts (Paul references Psalm 68:18) - so we are unique but designed to work together "for the work of ministry, [and] for building up the body of Christ."  In v13, Paul urges us to do such work (ministry and for building up the body of Christ) until "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ", implying until glorification.  In v14, Paul provides a tertiary reason for the work he describes - so that we can grow in our maturity in faith and withstand Satan's schemes and continue to defend against sin and temptation. In vv15-16 Paul concludes the text for today by providing a portrait of how church unity works - using a physical body as an analogy.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides me church to support me in my effort to be worthy of the calling You gave me.  Thank You for Bay Leaf Baptist church.  I am not deserving of how You love me and bless me.  My sin is great and it continues...will You please forgive me 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.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

1 Corinthians 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Further thought on demons provided by the commentary*:

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

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

Comment and discuss this post.

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

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

I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 10

I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:20b-22

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:14-22.  Here, Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to admonish the Corinthian Christians for their participation in idolatry (see also posts 07-OCT and 08-OCT where I left off before my pause).  In v14, he gets right to the heart of the matter (idol worship) - don't do it! He then, starting in v16, constructs his argument against idol worship by comparing communion, or the Lord's Supper, to idol worship.  In v16, Paul asks rhetorically whether partaking in the Lord's Supper is participation in the blood and body of Christ.  In v17, he answers his own question in the affirmative.  In v18, Paul then includes Old Testament sacrifice and worship of God in his argument, sharing how with OT testament (see Leviticus 1-7) worship and sacrifice, the priests participate "in the altar" as believers do with the Lord's Supper.  In vv19-20, Paul then pivots to idol worship and foods sacrificed to idols - writing that the Corinthians' attitudes towards idol worship is NOT something that is meaningless to God and their Christian freedom is not intended to allow them to worship idols.  Idol worship is sinful and it breaks the first two of the ten commandments.  Paul then concludes the text for today by sharing how you cannot worship both demons/idols and God - we do not want to provoke a jealous God because we are not stronger than He is and we invite His wrath (that led to the death of so many Israelites as depicted in scripture). 

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 - despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus.  Please help me overcome and turn from 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.

...so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2

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

I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper discusses what believes is "the Bible’s most astonishing image of Christ’s second coming."  He refers to Luke 12:35-37 where Jesus tells the apostles a parable of a master returning home from a wedding feast; the master expects his servants to be ready for him when he returns.  He uses this parable to warn the apostles to be ready for His second coming, and that the master will "recline at table, and he will come and serve them."  This depiction of Christ at the second coming is - like yesterday's warning to beware of serving God - counterintuitive and less well understood unless studied more closely.  It is well understood by believers that Christ's earthly ministry depicts Jesus as serving others - this is clear from Mark 10:45 and other text.  However, Jesus' parable in Luke 12 talks about the second coming where we know from text such as 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 that describe the second coming that Jesus is depicted as "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."  Piper then rhetorically asks why Jesus would be depicted in the second coming not only as a conquering king but also as a servant?  He then emphasizes the text for today from Ephesians 2:7 and proceeds to share that God plays the role of servant in the second coming "[b]ecause the very heart of his glory is the fullness of grace that overflows in kindness to needy people." Piper concludes the devotional by pointing to Isaiah 64:4 where God "acts for those who wait on him," and sharing that "[t]here is no other god like this. He never relinquishes the role of inexhaustible benefactor of his ever-dependent, happy people." Indeed - praise God!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank for the amazing grace and love that You pour for me - You never stop working, working for me and loving me - despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Will You help me turn from and overcome my sin - impatience, anger, etc. - 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.  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 God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Acts 17

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25

This morning I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper provides believers with a warning that is likely to be counterintuitive - that we must beware of serving God. Piper first starts by sharing that "we do not glorify God by providing his needs, but by praying that he would provide ours — and trusting him to answer, and living in the joy of that all-providing care as we lay down our lives in love for other people." He then refers us to Psalm 50:12-15 where the text is clear - prayer expresses our utter dependence on God and as such it glorifies God. Piper then shares that we are then forced to acknowledge "the startling fact that we must beware of thinking he needs us. We must beware of serving God, and we must take special care to let him serve us, lest we rob him of his glory....Most of us think serving God is a totally positive thing. We have not considered that serving God may be an insult to him. But meditation on the very meaning of prayer makes this plain...[T]here is a way to serve God that would belittle him as needy of our service. Oh, how careful we must be not to preempt the mighty grace of God in Christ." 

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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 - providing for all of my needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - 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, energy 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 am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

This morning I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Here John Piper highlights how Jesus seeks for believers to glorify Him.  Using the end of John 15:5 (and Romans 7:8), Piper starts by sharing how "without Christ, we are capable of no Christ-exalting good." That is how we should see ourselves - as helpless and utterly dependent on Him to bear Christ-glorifying good.  Of course, as believers, we should all seek to glorify Him - because that is why we exist. In the verse for today, Jesus guides us for how we are to glorify Him.  First, we must abide in Him, He then abides in us, and it is then we bear fruit.  Piper then points to vv7-8, where Jesus seeks for us to pray, and Piper shares that God is then glorified.  Piper writes: "[w]e pray!  We ask God to do for us through Christ what we can’t do for ourselves — bear fruit....Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need."

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are SO good as You provide all of my needs - thank You!  Of course 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.

...God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3

...God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26

This morning I pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Here, John Piper refers to the text for today as possibly "the most important verses in the Bible. God is wholly just! And he justifies the ungodly! Really? A just judge acquitting the guilty! Not either/or! Both! He acquits the guilty, but is not guilty in doing so. This is the greatest news in the world!"  Piper then refers us to other text to amplify his point and to support the text:

• 2 Corinthians 5:21
  
• Romans 8:3
• 1 Peter 2:24
• 1 Peter 3:18
• Romans 6:5
  

Piper weaves this text together into a powerful summary of the gospel: "He takes our sin. We take his righteousness.  Whose flesh? Christ’s. Whose sin condemned in that flesh? Ours. For us then? No condemnation!...If the most terrifying news in the world is that we have fallen under the condemnation of our Creator and that he is bound by his own righteous character to preserve the worth of his glory by pouring out his wrath on our sin...Then the best news in all the world (the gospel!) is that God has decreed and enacted a way of salvation that also upholds the worth of his glory, the honor of his Son, and the eternal salvation of his elect. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." 

 

The gospel and what is ultimately offers is not only the greatest news but also the greatest gift.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You offer the Good News - which is the greatest news and the greatest gift of all time!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my election and salvation.  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 supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Ephesians 2

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Today, I am pausing in my study of 1 Corinthians to dig deeper into studies provided by my church - Bay Leaf Baptist Church as part of its Multiply initiative - from my study booklet, my focus this morning for reading is Ephesians 2:1-10, and 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 for memorization.  Ephesians 2:1-10 emphasizes the grace of God and this grace is core to the gospel.  Verses 1-3 remind believers that before we were saved we were all spiritually dead, and slaves to our sin.  Of course it's important to remember that everyone sins (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), including believers, and this sin is present every day of our lives until glorification (for believers). In vv4-9, Paul then gets to the heart of the matter - which is that despite our sin, and not because of anything we (believers) have done, God saved us, gave us both new life in Christ and eternity in heaven with Him. God's grace is important for us to keep at the forefront of our daily living - hence Paul shares twice in the text (v5, 8) how it is God's grace alone that saved us. Paul concludes the text by sharing how, although all of the universe and its inhabitants are part of His creation, believers were created, elected, justified, sanctified for "good works...that we should walk in them."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of grace and compassion for me - saving me when I was dead in my sin and giving me both new life but also eternal life.  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.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. The main idea from the commentary*: "avoid sin by remembering God’s work in the past among the Hebrews and by depending on God’s faithfulness."  The introduction* describes this main idea by emphasizing v11 where Paul shares that Israel's failings to remain obedient to God - primarily (but not limited to) to love God above all others - described in the Old Testament are given to believers "for our instruction" to be prepared for when Jesus returns. The following divisions* are provided to unpack the text for today:   

1. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Guarantee Us God’s Pleasure (10:1-5): Paul seeks to "draw parallels between Israel (our ancestors) and the church." Similar (a foretaste compared to the new covenant with Christ) to how Israel and Moses experienced rescue and blessings during the exodus, believers in Christ share salvation, "blessings and privileges from our God." One such blessing shared by both Israel and believer is how God was with Israel as the cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Exodus 13:20-21). To describe how God delivered Israel - another blessing - "Paul draws an analogy between Moses (a type of Christ) leading the people to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and Christian baptism (Romans 6:1-14)." Paul then describes how Israel and believers in the church both ate "the same spiritual food" - all coming from God. Paul then moves from blessings to warning as just as God was not pleased with most of Israel in the wilderness (as many were either struck down or otherwise perished in the wilderness), God is not pleased with believers such as those practicing sexual immorality in Corinth.  Be on guard for sin creeping into your life. "This gets to the heart of Paul’s concern for the Corinthians and Paul’s concern for us. To begin well is no guarantee one will finish well."     
   
2. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Insulate Us from Divine Judgment (10:6-10): The commentary describes another "history lesson" from Paul as the text points us to Numbers 11:18-34 where Israel got "too cozy" with sin.  Paul specifically warns us of idolatry (v7) and sexual immorality (v8) problems for both Israel (Numbers 25:1-9) and Corinth.  Paul continues as he compares how both Israel and Corinth tested God (v9) and how both grumbled against God (v10). God's anger burned against Israel and if believers are not on guard His anger will burn against us.  
   
3. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Protect Us from Personal Temptations (10:11-13): Paul concludes the text for today by warning us against temptation while at the same time reminding us that Christ is the "way of escape" as He provides all we need to battle against sin.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

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

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