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.

Romans 12:1

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. Romans 12:1

This morning, I pause my study of Haggai to prepare for leading Sunday school tomorrow where our focus will be on Old Testament prophecies of Jesus - The Life of Jesus (Part 1 of 2). One of the OT prophecies comes from Psalm 40:6-8 and discussed in Hebrews 10:14 where Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.  I am then drawn to Romans 12:1 where Paul exhorts believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice.  John Piper, in this post on DesiringGod.com, draws on this to share that while mercy to others is important, worship of God is first and foremost and that "Before Paul describes our new life in Christ as merciful, he describes it as worshipful. Before you think that the Christian life has everything to do with being merciful to people, realize that it has everything to do with being worshipful toward God....Before we give ourselves away in mercy to man, we give ourselves away in worship to God. This is crucial to see. We must never let the Christian life drift into a mere social agenda. I use the word “mere” carefully, because if God is left out, our mercy will be mere social agenda. We do no one good in the end if we are not worshiping and leading them to worship in the acts of mercy that we do. If our good deeds are not expressing the worth of God, then our deeds are not worship, and in the end, will not be merciful. Making people comfortable or helping them feel good on the way to everlasting punishment, without the hope and the design that they see Christ in your good deeds, is not mercy. Mercy must aim to make much of Christ. No one is saved who doesn’t meet and make much of Christ. And not to care about saving is not merciful.  Therefore, it is absolutely essential that Paul put worship before mercy and that he define the Christian life as worshipful before he defines it as merciful." 

Amen!  We exist to worship and bring glory to God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God worthy of my worship and I know I exist to worship You and bring You glory.  You are SO good...and SO good to me. Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the mercies that are new every morning and never cease.  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 Dsutin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

 Haggai 2:10-14

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Haggai 2:14

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:10-14, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God wants the people to understand the depth of their sin.  "First, their sin has caused them to become spiritually dead and defiled. Second, because they are dead and defiled, no amount of activity on their part would profit them until they had repented of their sin....God illustrates for them a central truth that is found throughout Scripture: our sin has separated us from God and has caused us to be spiritually dead."
• We are referred to Revelation 3:1-6 where it shares how those who are spiritually dead will not experience eternity with Jesus in Heaven and this includes those in the church who are lukewarm to God or feeling as if their good works are sufficient.  V14 reminds us that no amount of good works are sufficient until we truly repent. See also 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Matthew 23:27. 
• Repentance and our heart condition are key.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace. Thank You Jesus for Your love and amazing grace.  I am not deserving of the love You pour out for me nor for my 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

 Haggai 2:10-14

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Haggai 2:14

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:10-14, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, as the book of Haggai begins to wind down, Haggai reminds the people that it is through their sin that the people have become defiled and unholy - and we know that it is only through God who through repentance and forgiveness cleanses us of our sin.  Believers can rest in knowing that while still in their sin, God loved them and made them one of their elect and saved them.  God sees them as righteous in His eyes - imputed righteousness.  This is why Jesus had to come to save humanity....to die once for all of humanity for all times....to end the OT sacrificial system where the people needed to continually offer sacrifice for their sins to seek atonement. See also Hebrews 10.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - saving me while I was still hostile and an enemy to You.  Thank You Jesus.  I am underserving of such grace and my 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 love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love 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 continue to 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 thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”

 Haggai 2:6-9

For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’” Haggai 2:6-9

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:6-9, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:1-9.  Here the commentary makes three key points regarding vv6-9:

• God's plans cannot be stopped - He desired for the temple to be rebuilt - and nothing can stop this plan.  First God is sovereign over all things and all powerful - v6 describes this sovereignty and power.  He has the power to accomplish His will.
• Second, God has the means to accomplish His will.  All the earth's wealth comes from Him and belongs to Him.  We are referred to Ezra 6:8 where scripture describes how the temple reconstruction will be funded.
• Finally, the text points to a greater glory and this greater glory is a prophecy of Jesus.  See also Matthew 12:6 and John 2:19.  Jesus brings about a peace that surpasses understanding - Philippians 4:7.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that came for me and for all of humanity - to save us from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  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 continue to 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 thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”

 Haggai 2:6-9

For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’” Haggai 2:6-9

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:6-9, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:1-9. Building on yesterday's post which looked at vv1-5, the text for today further explores God's message for His people as they have repented, obeyed, and experienced God's presence. God further promises that the rebuilding of His temple will be accompanied by a return of all the earth's treasures (which come from and belong to God) to the temple.  The rebuilt temple shall be of greater glory than the original temple which was destroyed.  This message of restoration is found throughout scripture - including Joseph who goes from favored son to bondage and prison to the 2nd most powerful position in Egypt (the most powerful empire in the world at the time), Job, and Peter (who although denies Jesus three times, is personally restored by Jesus.  God restores and renews us - this gives all believers hope.  Hope when we are experiencing great difficulties, when our bodies are decaying, etc. We are not only reborn as Christians, but God carries us through whatever we experience to something that is new and something designed just for us and we can be assured it is good.  See also Romans 8:28. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and restores me by carrying me through challenging times - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how I can never be separated from Your 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 continue to 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.

 

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

 Haggai 2:1-5

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. Haggai 2:4-5

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:1-5, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:1-9.  The commentary describes how God makes a promise to His people in these verses and the commentary shares how God's words with this promise provide four clear steps that result in the fulfillment of God's promise:

1. God wants you to see your sin - to define the problem (see also posts on Haggai chapter1).  "[God] was bringing conviction of sin to them. Conviction always occurs through clarity. Their sin is laid bare for them to clearly see, and they can no longer deny it." Of course this leads them back to God in repentance. 
2. Once they repent, God provides hope.  God wants His grace to free His people from the cycle of sin and shame and how this leads to pain and discouragement.  God does not want this - that is why He forgives us. See also Romans 5:8.
3. Repentance leads us into obedience to God - and God in the text is calling His people to work - so we should! The commentary shares "transformed hearts leads to transformed hands."
4. Once we follow steps #1-3, we will experience God's presence.  "Verse 5 points out that because God’s presence is among them, they will not have to be afraid. They can rest in God’s presence. He is a strong tower that brings grace, yes. He brings hope, yes. Finally, though, He brings rest....As we see throughout the whole of Scripture, there are many reasons why one will be blessed by following God, but none is more significant than the promise of God’s presence."  See also Psalm 84:10.
   

 Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus!  You are great and a day in Your courts are indeed better than a thousand elsewhere.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I am SO grateful.  Yet I know that I am undeserving....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 continue to 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.

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

 Haggai 2:1-5

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. Haggai 2:4-5

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a unassisted review of Haggai 2:1-5, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:1-9. More encouragement delivered through Haggai from the Lord!  In chapter 1 we see God express His disappointment and anger in Israel as they focus on their own lives while the temple lies in disrepair and ruin.  He works in the hearts of leadership and the people and they turn towards the Lord and begin work on the temple - and God shares how He is with them.  Encouraging!  Here in chapter 2, the Lord continues to encourage the governor, the high priest and the people.  He first encourages them to remember the former glory of the temple (v4).  All believers should have top of mind all that God has done, not just in our own lives but everywhere throughout redemptive history.  Our hearts should be filled with gratitude as we recall all that God has done and we should draw nearer to God stay there - in fellowship with Him.  God then encourages us to be strong - there is hard work ahead of Israel to rebuild the temple - there will be days when they grow weary or are otherwise discouraged or afraid to proceed - in the face of this God is with them (vv4-5).  God says to be strong and fear not - the people are to recall God's faithfulness as He shares the covenant He made with them as they left bondage in Egypt - leading them to the promised land. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a faithful God, always keeping Your promises and You are always with me, and I can never be separated from Your love.  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.

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:14-15

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.  Haggai 1:14-15

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:14-15, which the commentary outlines these verses as both the the third and final subdivision of 1:13-15.  The commentary title for this subdivision: The Lord Stirs the Spirits of the Leaders and the People to Encourage Them and Equip Them to Obey.  Here we get a glimpse of how God works as he "stirred up the spirit" of the governor, the high priest, and the remnant of the people.  If we surrender to God, God is not only with us (v13), but He is in us and directing our thoughts and ways.  Romans 12:2 is instructive here for how we are called to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" and how we "may discern what is the will of God." It is then God who brings about our obedience to Him - see also Romans 1:5. Excerpts from the commentary for this subdivision:

• Here the commentary focuses on leadership - the governor and the high priest - and how the influence of leadership works among the people.  God equips, enables and works through leadership - even though all leadership is prone to sin as we all are.  God places earthly authorities in our lives - see also Romans 13:1. Leaders should recognize their role and surrender their own hearts to God...and the people will follow - see also 1 Corinthians 11:1. 
  
• Heart condition is key and it is the Lord that works in our hearts. Leadership should recognize that heart condition is what drives change and action. 
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has placed Godly leaders in my life to direct me to You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of You stirred up the spirits and hearts of people who lead me who in turn lead me to You. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of these blessings nor my salvation or any other blessings You pour out for me daily.  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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”

 Haggai 1:13

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”  Haggai 1:13

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:13, which outlines this verse as both the the first and subdivision of 1:13-15 and for this morning I explore the second subdivision from the commentary which is entitled The Lord Promises His Presence to His People to Stir Them to Obedience. Excerpts from the commentary for this second subdivision:

• "What is this promise that God felt so compelled to declare to His people? Simply put, He promises that He is with them. This is no small thing. This promise indicates a change in tone from the Lord. The people were disobedient, so He compelled them to obey. Then they turned from their sin and embraced righteousness, so God immediately began to affirm them and His presence among them. He is with them, and He will be with them. This is a promise of comfort, it is a promise of blessing, and most of all, it is the promise of grace."
• We should be greatly comforted for how God declares that He is with us not just at any moment in time but always as scripture repeatedly shares how God is with this.  The commentary points us to Deuteronomy 31:6, but there are others including Matthew 28:20 where Jesus commands His disciples to go out into the world to deliver the gospel (The Great Commission) sharing "I am with you always, to the end of the age."  See also Romans 8:38-39 where Paul shares that nothing can separate believers from the love of God. 
• The commentary describes moments of weakness we are all apt to have, including where Peter disavows knowing Jesus after Jesus' arrest that night in the garden of Gethsemane. In these moments we should lean on and take strength being confident in how God is with us always.  "God is with us, and He will conquer evil in the end. This confidence allows Christians to be like no other group throughout history and to thrive even when we are seemingly being defeated."
• Christ's resurrection gives us confidence that ultimately we will defeat both sin and death and be with Jesus eternally. 
• The commentary describes how this verse also emphasizes God's grace and how we should always know how faithful God is and how His grace never ends - despite our sin. See also 1 Timothy 1:15 and Romans 5:8. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and the promise of Your love and grace and how we can never be separated from Your love and grace is incredible - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”

 Haggai 1:13

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.”  Haggai 1:13

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:13, which is the first subdivision of 1:13-15 and the title of this subdivision from the commentary is The Messenger of the Lord Delivered the Message of the Lord.  This one verse clearly communicates two things: (1) Haggai is a messenger of the Lord, appointed for a specific purpose - to deliver His words to God's people; (2) God's message first and foremost is one of encouragement - that He is with us.  On this latter point, we should recognize the disobedience of God's people and God - full of grace and love for His people - wanted unity with His people but this could only be through repentance, which the people then offered (see verse 12).  While much text is brought to mind that emphasizes the same message, Luke 15:11-31 and the story of the Prodigal Son most prominently comes to mind.   Key excerpts from the commentary for 1:13:

• God appoints fallible humans such as prophets and pastors to deliver His message to us - we should understand that these people are divinely appointed and the message is from God both are linked.  
• "While the messenger is not God Himself, the messenger represents God, he speaks for God, if you will. In fact, the word messenger is translated across Scripture in other contexts as “angel,” “envoy,” or “ambassador.” It conveys the idea that the messengers have no inherent authority or truth in and of themselves, but they are to be listened to and honored because they carry the weight of the One who sent them. What’s more, when they convey the message, they convey a message that is not their own, but a message that comes from God Himself."
• Pastors must recognize as well that they are stewards of God's words and not take this lightly nor stray outside of God's desire and intent for the task given to him. He should not add or subtract from the message. Any messenger or pastor should be very intimate with the message being delivered - for example a sermon on any given text. Humility is key - messengers and pastors must focus on God not on themselves and their motives or desires. 
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a God full of grace and compassion - welcoming me back when I sin which I know is daily and You offer mercies anew every morning that never cease....thank You Jesus!  Of course I am undeserving and I know it.  Please forgive me today and every day for both sins of commission and omission.  Help me turn from such sin and overcome it 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:13-15

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:13-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:13-15. What encouragement! In vv1-12, we see God speaking to Israel, urging them to consider their ways and to prioritize Him above their own desires and comfort - this is the greatest commandment!  The people obeyed and feared the Lord - repentance.  Then, in v13, God, through Haggai, declares that He is with the people. God then moved in the hearts of Zerubbabel (governor of Judah), Joshua (high priest), and the remnant of the people (those who repented) and led them to continue rebuilding the temple. This is a fantastic text of how God moves in the hearts of His people.  First, He is compassionate.  Surely He is disappointed in Israel, but He offers forgiveness if they repent and prioritize Him above all else.  He is then with us - walking with us.  What more can we want!?

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You grace is amazing indeed - You saved me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  I am no different than Israel in any point in her history.  My is grave and 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.

 Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Haggai 1:12

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:12 reviewing the commentary for the which is the second subdivision (of the first division) which the commentary entitles God’s Word Brings Forth Fear of the Lord.  From the commentary:

• V12 "conveys a couple of ideas about fear, neither of which convey terror, but instead they combine to provide a picture of affection and worship driven by an acute awareness of God’s character."
• It conveys "a sense of submission to the authority of God in response to God's character of God" - His holiness, His awesome power, etc. See also Isaiah 6:5.
• We are encouraged to look elsewhere in scripture where awareness of God drives us to our knees in awe and worship.  See Psalm 51:17 where Nathan confronts David about his infidelity with Bathsheba and David's response is a broken humble spirit seeking God forgiveness.
• V12 also conveys a sense of awe in God's power and might. See also Psalm 61:4.
• "The idea that God is majestic, powerful, and able to save is a key element to rightly understanding who God is and to rightly worshiping Him."
• "As we walk in disobedience, and as we find ourselves confronted with God’s Word, our response should be grounded in a fear of God. Not necessarily an abject terror, but instead affection, worship, and trust, rooted in the person and character of God."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion Jesus - thank You Jesus for my salvation, protection, instruction, guidance and direction, etc.  You are SO good!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.

 Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Haggai 1:12

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:12 which is the first division (and first two subdivisions) of the text covered the commentary's chapter with its title Fear of God Leads to Repentance. From the commentary:

Main idea (for 1:12-15): "The people of Israel heard the word of the Lord, repented together, and obeyed God. As they obeyed God, He affirmed His presence among them."

Excerpts from the commentary for first subdivision entitled God’s Word Brings Forth Obedience (1:12):

• God spoke and the people obeyed.
• "We see two distinct phrases in this verse that explain the significance of God’s words in the lives of the Jewish people. First, and most clearly, the text tells us that the people “obeyed the voice of the Lord their God.” God spoke, and they listened....The verse goes on to point out that God spoke through his prophet Haggai. Continuing on in the verse, we are reminded that the people obeyed God’s voice, and second, they obeyed Haggai’s voice, his words, “because the Lord had sent him.”
• The commentary then shares "three important realities about God's word and our obedience: (1) God's word is powerful and effective (see also Hebrews 4:12), (2) God often chooses to delivery His words through a preacher.  We are reminded that while pastors are appointed by God they are not perfect so we should not worship them. We are also reminded that pastors should take great care in delivering God's word (see also 2 Timothy 4:1-2), (3) we can learn the power of leadership" and how when leaders repent of their sins others follow as seen here in Haggai.  
  

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

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:12-15

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:12-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:12-15 which is covered in the commentary with a chapter title Fear of God Leads to Repentance and the chapter provides two divisions (1:12, 1:13-15) and five (1:12, 1:12, 1:13, 1:13, 1:14) subdivisions. Here, in response to God's call to Israel to "consider [it's] ways" and repent (see earlier posts here and here), Israel does indeed repent and as God does in all of His compassion and love, He forgives Israel and declares "I am with you," which of course is a tremendous encouragement and source of peace.  Israel's fellowship with God and their heart change leads them proceed with rebuilding of the temple - putting God first. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:16 where believers and the church are referred to as God's temple. Just as Israel focuses on building the temple, believers should focus on building their relationships with the Lord and with one another.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves us and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for those who turn towards You.  Thank You Jesus for softening my heart and leading me to You, for saving 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.

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.

 Haggai 1:7-11

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors. Haggai 1:9-11

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:7-11, the fourth sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Repenting Will Point Them to God’s Pleasure.  Here, God calls Israel to repent and to resume rebuilding of the temple (vv7-8).  He then reminds them of how a pursuit of self-desire and self-worship led to God turning away and withholding His provision.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• Believers should heed this message to consider our ways - our sin of course - and turn towards God to transform our hearts and lives to be more like Him.  Repentance and heart change is key (see also Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 5:21-30) as behavior change follows heart change.
  
• VV9-11 describes that if you don't repent God withholds the blessings that flow from fellowship with Him. 
• "[People] can repent, follow God’s way, and flourish as they find themselves in harmony with the world as God intended it; or they can reject repentance and risk God’s wrath as He actively works against them, keeping them from flourishing."
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have experienced with my own eyes how obedience to Your commands and a relationship with You is good and You satisfy as no other can - You ARE the Living Water!  Thank You Jesus for the blessings You pour out daily for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus 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 end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiates 12:13

Today, upon my return from a short trip to SC, I seek to commune and listen to God's Word for me - once again, admittedly I am not bringing my first fruits to God but instead seeking Him after a long day.  This is not what God seeks, so from the get-go I seek God's forgiveness to not only give Him my best but give Him my first.  Before I focus on anything else, I should go to God.  Jesus, please help me do that.  Given all of this I still desperately seek God - including right now.  For my focus, I go to Ligonier.org (online ministry of RC Sproul) and one of its daily devotionals that focuses Ecclesiastes 12 with a post entitled Living Life to the Glory of God.  Having recently studied this book, I draw upon my study and how God uses Solomon, the wisest person the world has ever known, someone who had it all - and found all of life's pursuits meaningless apart from a relationship with God.  The devotional immediately shares how all of us exist to bring glory to God - see also Genesis 1:26, Hebrews 12:18-29.  The devotion then shares: "Ecclesiastes is not teaching us the meaninglessness of life. Instead, it is emphasizing the transitory nature, the impermanence, of life in the present order and is calling us to live in light of that reality. We are, in fact, to enjoy the earthly gifts that the Lord has given us, including such things as loving spouses, worthwhile labor, and good food (9:7–11). However, we must do this with reference to God, recognizing that the best things of this life will pass away but that only He endures forever. We go astray when we make the good but temporary things of this life the ultimate things to which we aspire."  In particular we are referred to vv13-14 where it shares that "we are to live ever aware that the Lord is always watching us, and so we ever aim to please Him." Amen!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is SO full of compassion and mercy for us - loving us while still hostile and an enemy to You and interceding for us in Heaven every day!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation and the mercies You pour out daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily, like not giving You my first and best.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to 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, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Haggai 1:5-6

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:5-6

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:5-6, the third sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Reflecting on Their Lack of Flourishing Will Point Them to God’s Displeasure.  Here, building on vv3-4 where God questions the Israelites for their devotion to their own lives and pursuits vs love of God and obedience to Him, God continues to condemn Israel.  God shares how the Israelites' ways are futile in terms of providing for their needs, and of course this includes physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  We must rely fully on God for all of our needs - He is the source of our provision, every ounce of it. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God's message through Haggai is intended to draw Israel back to Him, and to show them that His design is that we depend on Him and then we flourish. God calls out Israel's disobedience and then connects it to their current state of want and despair. 
• We are referred to God's design as stated in scripture, including Jeremiah 29:5-7.
• God wants us to see how our actions have consequences - see also Isaiah 59:2 where we are warned and reminded that sin separates us from God and without repentance we remain apart of God - not a state we should desire - one where we are subject to God's judgement, wrath and condemnation.  
• We all sin and need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior. He intercedes on our behalf. Repent and believe! God is good and He will cleanse you...and so much more!
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Living Water, and You provide for all of my needs, You never leave or forsake me, and I can never be separated from Your love...not even in death.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and all the blessings You pour out for me daily.  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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?

Haggai 1:3-4

Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?  Haggai 1:3-4

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:3-4, the second sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Choosing Comfort over Obedience Is a Sign of Misplaced Priority. V2 (see yesterday's post) shares God's disappointment in Israel as they share how they no longer seek to rebuild God's temple - rather they are more focused on attending to their daily lives, ignoring the most important commandment which is to love God with all of Your heart, soul and mind. V2 describes God disappointment in an implied manner while God becomes more explicit in his words towards Israel.  God's question here should not be lost on believers (myself included) who do not focus on cultivating and growing in their relationship with Jesus. Once we become one of God's elect, God does not want us to stay "infants" in our faith but instead wants us to grow into who He intends for us - spiritual maturity.

Excerpts from the commentary:

• "Haggai specifically uses a word for paneled that implies “well appointed” or “comfortable.” In other words, they were not only settled in their homes, they had been to their equivalent of Pier One, had acquired all sorts of beautiful accoutrements for their homes, and were living comfortably. While Haggai is not condemning their comfortable living, he is condemning this living at the expense of obedience to God’s commands." We are referred to Malachi 1:6-7 where Israel once again is called out by God for putting themselves above God....skimping on costs regarding sacrifice offered at the altar. 
  
• Believers should go to Luke 9:23 where Jesus challenges them to see how following Him would be costly...at times with our physical bodies (see Voice of the Martyrs).  This is heart condition issue. 
• The commentary quotes David Foster Wallace who shares how all of humanity worships and how worship can consume you and leave you empty.  For believers worship of the One True God Jesus Christ SHOULD consume us but it animates and leaves us fulfilled and satisfied as NOTHING else can - He is the Living Water!
• We are reminded to draw near to God and worship Him!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - thank You for Your patience and love as I grow - I often put myself first, my comforts, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”

Haggai 1:2

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Haggai 1:2

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:2 - the first sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Postponed Obedience Is a Consistent Condition of the Sinful Human Heart. Excerpts from the commentary:

• The Israelite people returned from exile as written in Ezra 1-3 and made quick work of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, and Ezra 3:10-13 describes how the Jewish people celebrated after quickly laying down the foundation. 
• This exuberance from the Jewish people was short lived as they grew comfortable with a return to post-exile life and as the Samaritans "feared a renaissance" of the Jewish state and its accompanying power, they pressured the controlling government to cease work on the temple.  Yet work elsewhere in the city continued, including work on homes and businesses.  "It is no stretch to imagine that the city was a hive of activity, as business and pleasure intersected on its streets once more. However, in the midst of life being lived, the most important thing was being forgotten—namely the worship of God." We are referred to Luke 10:38-42 where Martha is too busy preparing the house and a meal for Jesus' visit while her sister Mary focuses on Jesus. 
• The commentary describes how the text emphasizes the need to prioritize Jesus above all other matters - love and obedience to God is the most important commandment. We are referred to Genesis 3:6 where Adam and Eve fall prey to disobedience and pride at the urging of Satan, and how since the Fall we are all prone to disobedience and pride (worship of self). 

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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 us - You loved me while still hostile and an enemy of You.  This includes while I was focused on my own flesh and often still do.  Thank You for Your amazing grace for my salvation and the many blessings You pour out for me 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”

Haggai 1:2

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Haggai 1:2

I continue with my study of Haggai -  using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  The next chapter of the commentary is entitled Disregarding God Leads to a Lack of Human Flourishing. This commentary chapter outlines 2 divisions with 2 sub-divisions each exploring Haggai 1:2-11. For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:2 - the first sub-division.  Here God refers to what the people say with regard to efforts to rebuild the temple.  Of course, we know what is coming next as God is not pleased with the people's lack of effort to rebuild His house.  The temple represents a place of worship, where God's people gather to draw near to Him corporately and to bring glory to His name in prayer, song, fellowship with God's people, and study of His Word.  All of this in service and obedience to God who calls us to love Him with all of our our heart, soul and mind.  God's people choose not to be obedient to the most important commandment - one can't expect things to go well from there.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - thank You Jesus for giving me a place where I can worship corporately - with fellow believers - as we can support and encourage one another in our love of You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest[.]

Haggai 1:1

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest[.] Haggai 1:1

As I wrapped my study yesterday of Zephaniah, I plunge ahead with the next book of the OT - Haggai -  using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:1.  This single verse of text highlights who is in earthly power at the time - Darius as king, and Zerubbabel as governor of Judah.   It also highlights how the Word of God is delivered through earthly vessels - in this instance the prophet Haggai. Excerpts from the commentary for this text:

• "In a sea of prophetic books that decry disobedience only to see the people of God brush off the admonition and continue in their sin, Haggai stands out as an encouraging light, an example of what can happen when God’s people listen to God’s word delivered through God’s prophet and experience God’s blessing."
• "Haggai was probably an older man, likely in his 70s at least. Haggai 2:3 indicates that Haggai may have seen the original temple, which would have enabled him to understand the significance of God’s call to rebuild the temple as well as the value of the temple. Haggai would have understood the importance of the land and the centrality of worship that were vital to the flourishing of God’s people. His awareness of this would surely lend weight to God’s message, as he would plead with the Israelite people to abandon their apathy and take up, once again, the work of rebuilding the temple. As for the dating of the book, we know that Haggai was part of the returning remnant that was being brought back to Jerusalem after King Darius’s decree in 538 BC. After living for years in captivity, the return to their land must have been quite energizing for the Israelite people."
• "The Persian government ruled over the people of Israel. After approximately 50,000 Israelites returned home, there was urgent concern for the temple and immediate effort made to rebuild it."
• After a 16 year hiatus where rebuilding was delayed, Haggai exhortations to the people of Israel led to the completion of the temple and more broadly Israel's obedience. 
• "This book is the story of God’s people, and in many ways it’s the same story that we see of God’s people throughout all of Scripture. God has designed the world to work in a specific way. When the people of God disobey him by sinning, humanity is not able to flourish as God intended. This lack of human flourishing can be made right if the people repent and obey Him. The prophet, then, is God’s good gift to the people, calling them to repentance and obedience and sharing with them the hope of God’s blessing."
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your Word is perfect and useful for instruction, rebuking, correction, etc. Thank You for delivering every book of Your Word.  I am not deserving of how You give me my salvation and Your Word.  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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:9-20

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:16-20, which is the text for the sixth and final division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20. Here the text concludes with great encouragement for the faithful remnant in Judah:

• God is with us - v17
  
• He saves - v17
• He rejoices over us with gladness - v17
• He quiets us with His love - v17
• He exults over us with loud singing - v17
• We no longer suffer reproach - v18
• He protects us from our enemies and oppressors - v19
• He saves the lame and gathers the outcast; their shame will turn into renown - v19
• His people will be renown and praised among all peoples of the earth - v20
• He will restore our fortunes - v20

 Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The vast majority of this book has been filled with condemning language. By the time the reader gets halfway through chapter 3 it feels as if we have been beaten up, along with Judah, over and over again. This is not to suggest that they did not deserve the judgment, because they did, but this book levels the judgment in ways no other book does. It is swift, it is intense, and it is certain. On the heels of that comes the end of the book, particularly verses 17 and following. God is with them. God is for them. God is celebrating over them. These would seem the most unlikely of thoughts after the vast majority of the book, but these are exactly what God communicates through Zephaniah here."
• "[O]ur salvation, like the salvation of Israel, is not just a gift of grace (though it is), but is a hard fought victory over the forces of evil."  See also Ephesians 6:12
• "Salvation is accompanied by a bloody price tag. Forgetting that can make it easy to dismiss or diminish salvation."
• "The disobedient people of God have repented, so God celebrates with rejoicing. Israel dishonors God by living as if He does not exist but they turn back, so God pours out His love on them. The people of Judah chase after their own happiness, trusting only in themselves, but then become humbled and contrite before God, so God shouts with joy over their return."  See also the story of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:20.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed and Your grace is amazing as well - Your mercies are new every morning and they never cease!  Thank You Jesus for Your amazing grace and for my salvation.  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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

Zephaniah 3:9-20

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. Zephaniah 3:14-15

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:14-15, which is the text for the fifth division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total). Here the text continues to describe how God restores the faithful remnant of Judah (see post yesterday and text focusing on those "who are left").  God seeks for this remnant to rejoice and exult "with all your heart."  Why?  The text tells us why: (1) God has taken away the consequences of our sin, (2) He has taken away our enemies, (3) He is in our midst, and (4) we shall never again fear evil.  Of course such a message rings true for not just Judah but also all believers!  Excerpts from the commentary on this text:

• "The appropriate response to the redemptive work of God among His people is to throw a party. This is precisely what God is communicating. What’s more, this is not just a momentary celebration. The understanding here is that this is their new way of life. This is not just a fleeting, volitional choice to “sing for joy” or “shout loudly.” This is a transformation of the heart. Israel was heading toward certain judgment and death, but instead they have inherited the grace of God. There is much to be excited about!"
• Believers are referred to Hebrews 2:14-15 where the same message is described in the New Testament. 
• This message from Zephaniah serves as a prophecy for Jesus who is described in Matthew 1:23 as Immanuel, "God is with us."
• We are reminded that while some believe Heaven is ultimately our goal, this is not the case as Heaven is described as a benefit but not the goal.  Reconciliation with God as described in the text today is the goal. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me.  Taking away my sin, loving me while still hostile and an enemy towards You...and saving me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to 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]hose who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Zephaniah 3:9-20

[T]hose who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3:13

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:13, which is the text for the fourth division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total).

• Once again, as Judah's story of restoration continues to unfold, we see God in all of His glory and attributes turn from anger and wrath towards love and grace - which is of course the core theme of the gospel.  We all sin and need a savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior and He willingly died on the cross - taking God's wrath for our sin upon Himself - so that we could be free of the sting of sin and death.
• The text starts by referring to a remnant - God will keep His promise made to Abraham by saving the faithful few (narrow door).
• The faithful few experience incredible blessings; among them include obedience to God - righteousness - rest and peace.
  

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:13:

• "[God's]...promise underlines what we ought to know but so often miss. So much of our stress and turmoil is a result of sin. As sin is eradicated from our lives, we find ourselves able to rest in the peace of God. God’s presence, His holiness, His righteousness, brings us peace." See also Isaiah 53:5.
  
• Christ's "wounds from the crucifixion are the gateway to our peace."  This is imputed righteousness. See also 2 Corinthians 5:21.
  
• Freedom from fear in the text is also referenced in Psalm 23:1-5.
• "That God would love us so much that He would go to the lengths He did in order to secure our redemption, and then would go on to secure the restoration of all things, allowing us to lie down in peace with no fear of danger, speaks to His infinite grace and mercy. However, all of this becomes even more meaningful when you realize that God had to satisfy His own justice in order to extend grace, which means that God Himself would suffer, through His Son, in order that He might accomplish this grand work of redemption among His people and the rest of His creation."
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and You took God's wrath upon Yourself - that needed to be paid for the sin of humanity - so that I could be saved.  Thank You Jesus!  And you give me rest and freedom from hear.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me 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.

[F]or then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD[.]

Zephaniah 3:9-20

[F]or then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD[.] Zephaniah 3:11b-12

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:11b-12, which is the text for the third division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total).

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:11b-12:

• God has already passed judgement on how Judah (and all of humanity) suffers from arrogance and pride, relying on their own powers for all of their needs - trusting in self vs God. 
• As an act of grace towards Judah, God transforms his people and their heart by giving them humility.  This transformation is "simply acknowledging the truth about ourselves—namely that we are not good by nature, nor are we able to save ourselves. We are mortal, fallible, and in need of help, and because of God’s grace, that help is provided."
• As we do this, we can take refuge in God for all of our needs as the text describes in v12. We are referred to Psalm 91:1-2, 46:1-3. Psalm 46:1-3 in particular describes how, "[a]s a result of their position, under God’s refuge, they were able to face whatever might come with great confidence, peace, and resolve. In a very real sense this is one of the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of the children of God. Our ability to trust in God when the world crashes around us is radically different from the response of the world."
• We are encouraged to seek refuge in God in response to fear and anxiety. See also Psalm 56:3. 

Take refuge in the Lord and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)!

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 - giving me a heart for You and for saving me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings 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.

On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me[.]

Zephaniah 3:9-20

On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me[.] Zephaniah 3:11a

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:11a, which is the text for the second division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total).

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:11a:

•  All of humanity is created in God's image but we are also marred by sin since the Fall (Genesis 3); fortunately, the death of Christ offers hope for sinners, and this requires us to confess our sins, acknowledge our fallen spiritually-dead state, and to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  
• Today's text shares how we deserve shame and the consequences of our sin.  "Through serious and persistent disobedience, we have constantly rejected God and run away from His presence. Yet God, in His grace, has been just as persistent in His pursuit of humanity." See also Genesis 3:9. "From that point forward God has been pursuing humanity, in spite of our sin, in an effort to redeem and restore us. That is breathtaking love!"
  
• God's response to Judah (and our sin) that they "shall not be put to shame" is described in the commentary as "indescribable grace and forgiveness."  We are referred to Hebrews 2:11 where Jesus is not ashamed of believers.  This is also noted for how "astonishing" it is. 
• "We were lost, helpless, and rightfully covered in shame, and through the grace of God we are able to be restored and made free from shame."  We are referred to Isaiah 61:7 where the prophet describes God's favor on His people.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great indeed as Your grace IS indescribably incredible!  I am completely undeserving of the grace that pours out like a river daily for 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 continue to 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 at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering.

Zephaniah 3:9-20

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering. Zephaniah 3:9-10

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:9-10, which is the text for for division of the commentary for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total). The commentary's introduction for 3:9-20 includes the below main idea for the entirety of the text:

Main idea: "God is rich in mercy and will restore His people to a place of prominence and blessing.

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:9-10:

• Division title: "God Will Restore His People"
• "Arguably the most painful book in the Bible, it has not left us excited and hopeful for more. In what has surely felt like one body blow after another, God has chastised His people, called them to repentance, and threatened them with judgment. In all of this, however, we have maintained that His love and justice are the motivating factors for His behavior."
• "This claim of restoring pure speech means much more than just clean language. This is a reference to being purified. It speaks of repentance being accomplished in the hearts of God’s people. From rampant rebellion to penitent humility, the people of Judah have been rescued and redeemed. To be purified means to be cleansed. Purification occurs when we are both forgiven and repentant. The old sin is gone and the future behavior is not the same as the past. The result of this purification, then, will be a readiness to call on Yahweh and worship Him with their lives."
• "Notice two specific ways in which they will respond to His grace. First, they will call on His name. For a people who had previously struggled to trust God, this is a marvelous turnaround. By calling on His name, they are indicating trust in Him."  See also Luke 9:23.
  
• "Second, not only are they trusting God, they are now committed to serving Him—but not just serving Him, they are committed to doing so with “single purpose.” This is, again, far different from the message we heard throughout the rest of the book. These had been a people who were focused on themselves and whose focus was scattered across a host of different ideals and goals. Instead, they are now united in their focus on God and His commands."
• "Gathering us together from around the world, God is redeeming a people for Himself."  See also Revelation 7:9-10.
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good as Your forgiveness and mercies are new every morning and they never cease!  Your grace - amazing grace - never ends!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and Your amazing grace.  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 continue to 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 considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11:26

He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:26

Today, once again I traveled - this time home from WV...thus I am mindful again of how I did not offer time to the Lord in the morning (my first fruits) as I'd like do, but I am also mindful that I need to go to God daily and while it is late in the day it is my first opportunity to get online and not just focus my mind on God's message, I do want to document my time.  For this opportunity, I go to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores Hebrews 11:26.  Here, John describes the purpose of suffering for believers as "to manifest, in childlike faith, the infinite preciousness of [Christ's] all-satisfying promises — the all-satisfying greatness and beauty of his own glory as the fulfillment of all of them."  Using Hebrews 11:25-26, Piper points us to Moses who "[chose]...to be mistreated with the people of God [rather] than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin."  Moses chose to share in the suffering of Christ even though He did not even know of Him...He was called by God in obedience and to live by faith expecting something greater.  Piper then describes this as Christian Hedonism, where "[i]n the pursuit of joy through suffering, we magnify the all-satisfying worth of the Source of our joy. God himself shines as the brightness at the end of our tunnel of pain...If we do not communicate that he is the goal and the ground of our joy in suffering, then the very meaning of our suffering will be lost. The meaning is this: God is gain. God is gain. God himself is gain. That’s the meaning of our suffering. The chief end of man is to glorify God. And it is truer in suffering than anywhere else that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are the greater reward...You are the gain...above all things.  Thank You for Your faithfulness and that I can never be separated from Your love...despite what may and will happen to me.  I am not deserving of such faithfulness 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 continue to 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.