He . . . has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Ephesians 2:14-16

He . . . has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #44: To Destroy the Hostility Between Races.  The devotion opens with John Piper sharing historical background from when the New Testament was written: "[t]he suspicion, prejudice, and demeaning attitudes between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) in New Testament times was as serious as the racial, ethnic, and national hostilities in our day."  Piper points to Galatians 2:11-12 where Paul describes antagonism some from the circumcision party had for Peter (Cephas) when they saw him sharing meals with non-Jewish Christians but then Peter backed away from such fellowship when he feared reprisal from more conservative Jews (circumcision party).  Paul immediately recognized this hostility and antagonism and Piper refers us to Galatians 2:14 where the text says "[Paul] saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel."  Piper goes on to state that "[t]his is a crucial statement. Racial and ethnic segregation is a gospel issue! [Peter’ fear and withdrawal from fellowship across ethnic lines was “not in step with the truth of the gospel.” Christ had died to tear down this wall." Galatians 2:14 also describes how Paul confronted Peter from backing down from sharing fellowship with the Gentiles, and Piper describes the scene: "[Paul] confronted Cephas publicly....[Peter's] withdrawal from fellowship with non-Jewish Christians communicated a deadly message: You must become like Jews to be fully acceptable. This was the very thing that Christ died to abolish."  Piper then summarizes for us: "Jesus died to create a whole new way for races to be reconciled. Ritual and race are not the ground of joyful togetherness. Christ is. He fulfilled the law perfectly. All the aspects of it that separated people ended in him—except one: the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to build a lasting unity among races by saying that all religions can come together as equally valid. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God sent him into the world as the one and only means of saving sinners and reconciling races forever. If we deny this, we undermine the very foundation of eternal hope and everlasting unity among peoples. By his death on the cross, something cosmic, not parochial, was accomplished. God and man were reconciled. Only as the races find and enjoy this will they love and enjoy each other forever. In overcoming our alienation from God, Christ overcomes it between races." Amen! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for tearing down the wall of hostility among races, ethnicities, nationalities, etc.  Only You provide the basis for peace!  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of this blessing, my salvation, nor any of blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...harshness with others.  Please forgive me, and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.  

The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16

The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #43: To Unleash the Power of God in the Gospel.  The devotion today opens describing gospel as good news (see also Greek dictionary) and as "something significant [that] has happened that will make people happy."  The gospel of course is that Christ died but rose again. The devotion then refers us to 1 Corinthians 15:1-7, and shares that the "heart of the gospel" from this text is that "Christ died for our sins . . . was buried . . . was raised . . . and appeared to more than five hundred people." Piper uses this text then as he shares that "[t]he fact that he says many of these witnesses are still alive shows how factual the gospel is. He meant that his readers could find some witnesses and query them. The gospel is news about facts. And the facts were testable. There were witnesses of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection life."  As Piper continues, he builds on yesterday's post, which describes how Christ defeated Satan as the "great accuser."  Yet, while Christ did defeat Satan, Piper uses this devotion to share (pointing to 2 Corinthians 4:4) that until Jesus returns again (second coming), Satan continues to exist and for many "blinds the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."  1 Corinthians 2:14 provides additional text describing how non-believers cannot see the gospel as good news.  The devotion begins to wind down by reminding believers of the grace and mercy of God, as He removed the blinders, allowing us to see the gospel as good news. In John Piper's words, "satanic blindness and natural deadness must be overcome by the power of God" - this of course was done on the cross and through the resurrection. The devotion wraps by referring us to 1 Corinthians 1:24 as the text describes the "merciful act [of Christ who gave believers] the blood-bought gift" of faith and salvation.  Rejoice in the greatest gift of all time!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for removing the blinders from my eyes so that I could see the good news.  I am not deserving of this gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please 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 set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #42: To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities.  The devotion today right away dispels any thoughts one might have upon reading the title of the devotion.  Piper is not referring to human governments but of "demonic powers that afflict the world."  We are referred to Ephesians 6:12 where the text describes how believers are not battling "flesh and blood," but instead "cosmic powers" and "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  John 12:31 is also highlighted as the text describes "Jesus' last hour of his life" on the cross as He says that "now will the ruler of this world be cast out."  Piper then moves to share that although Satan and his other fallen angels are defeated, Christ allows them to exist until He returns (second coming). Piper shares: "[n]ot that they were put out of existence. We wrestle with them even now. But they are a defeated foe. We know we have the final victory. It is as though a great dragon has had his head cut off and is thrashing about until he bleeds to death. The battle is won. But we must still be careful of the damage he can do."  Peter warns us about how sin continues to exist and how we should be "alert and sober" - see 1 Peter 5:8.  While this is true, Piper wants us to see his main point, where he points to Colossians 2:14 and shares that "if God’s law no longer condemns us, because Christ canceled our debt, then Satan has no grounds to accuse us."  We are referred as well to Revelation 12:10 where the text describes Satan as the accuser and that during the final battle of end times Satan (the accuser) is "thrown down."  Piper shares: "[t]his is the defeat and the disarming of the rulers and authorities."  Piper then concludes the devotion by then pointing to Romans 8:33 and offering encouragement in light how Satan is disarmed: "now in Christ no accusations can stand against God’s people....Neither man nor Satan can make a charge stick. The legal case is closed. Christ is our righteousness. Our accuser is disarmed. If he tries to speak in the court of heaven, shame will cover his face. Oh, how bold and free we should be in this world as we seek to serve Christ and love people!" Amen!  Rejoice!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for willingly going to the cross to defeat sin and death, disarming Satan and his angels.  Yes I know sin exists and it will continue to be a struggle but You give me freedom over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor eternal life.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please 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.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 6:5, 8:11 and 2 Timothy 2:11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #41: To Secure Our Resurrection from the Dead.  The devotion opens with Piper writing that "[t]he resurrection of Jesus is God’s gift and proof that his death was completely successful in blotting out the sins of his people and removing the wrath of God."  We are referred to Philippians 2:8-9 and John 19:30 where the text shares how "therefore" Christ is highly exalted and humanity's penalty for sin was paid (in entirety) by Christ's death on the cross, accomplishing via the second Adam what could not be accomplished by the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15). The devotion then shares what all believers should understand, even though many - including myself - overlook: "[i]f sin is paid for, and righteousness is provided, and justice is satisfied, nothing can keep Christ or his people in the grave."  See also Revelation 1:18.  Because He has the keys to Death and Hades, believers have assurance in the promise of their own resurrection - see also Romans 6:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, and 1 Corinthians 6:14.  The devotion concludes by first pointing to 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, 52, and 54 where the text describes how our sin condemns us to death but Christ's life and death removes the sting of sin and death as "death is swallowed up in victory."  All are then pointed to John 11:25 and invited to repent of sins, accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, have faith, and receive the gift of forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, God, how awesome are You that You defeated sin and death and promise me resurrected and eternal life.  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor eternal life.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please 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] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:10, Philippians 1:21, 23, and 2 Corinthians 5:8

[He] died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #40: So That We Would Be with Him Immediately After Death.  The devotion opens by making it clear that "[t]he Bible does not view our bodies as bad."  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 6:13 where Paul is clear when he writes the Lord is "for our body."  Extending his reasoning in the devotion, Piper shares that "death is an enemy," and that "we lose something precious" when we die.  At the same time, we should be clear that when we die, we gain eternity in Heaven with Christ. This is of course incredibly hopeful, building on yesterday's devotion which focused on how Christ gives us freedom over the fear of death. The devotion directs us to Philippians 1:21, 23 where the text describes the tension Paul felt between living for Christ in an earthly body vs living eternally with Christ in Heaven.  We are also directed to 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul shares how early believers looked forward to Heaven, being with Christ, and feeling more "at home."  The devotion concludes, pointing us to 1 Thessalonians 5:10 and stating that "[t]his is one of the great reasons Christ suffered" - that a believer's death brings one home to Christ.  For sake of clarity in summarizing this devotion, I omitted the devotion's discussion and references to the "in-between" state where believers who pass and are buried are merely "asleep" awaiting bodily resurrection - for more on John Piper's views on this topic, go here.  Rejoice in how Christ bring us home after death!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of grace and compassion for us - thank You Jesus! Thank You for saving a place for me in Heaven.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  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.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2:14-15

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #39: To Free Us from Bondage to the Fear of Death.  The devotion explores how Satan uses fear to keep believers from living boldly for Christ.  We are referred to John 8:44 where John describes Satan as a "murderer" and "the father of lies."  Satan is further described in the devotion as not someone whose chief aim is to kill us but instead to deceive us into believing that "that self-exaltation is more to be desired than Christ-exaltation, and sin preferable to righteousness."  If we don't we repent and seek forgiveness of sin from Christ, than we are eternally damned - hence why the devotion refers to deception as Satan's "one lethal weapon."  If we do repent and seek forgiveness of sin from Christ, than we are eternally saved (see Romans 10:10) and Satan is neutralized.  Piper shares: "[i]f [Satan's power to deceive] could be taken out of his hand, he would no longer have the power of eternal death. That is what Christ came to do—take that weapon out of Satan’s hand....[Once we are believers], [t]ry as he will, Satan cannot destroy us. The wrath of God is removed. His mercy is our shield. And Satan cannot succeed against us."  The devotion then moves to describes in more detail how Christ neutralized Satan: "[t]o accomplish this deliverance, Christ had to take on a human nature, because without it, he could not experience death. Only the death of the Son of God could destroy the one who had the power of death."  We are referred to Hebrews 2:14-15.  When Christ was nailed to the cross, He also nailed our sin to the cross.  The devotion winds down by sharing that "freedom from fear" was Christ's aim in His death.  Fear of death is described as enslaving us and preventing us from living boldly for Him which is what Christ ultimately seeks - that we glorify Him in our lives.  We stop seeking "big headed self-preservation," and instead seek what Christ desires (serving one another - see Galatians 5:13), even to the point of death.  Believers know that our mortal and earthly bodies may decay and pass, Christ is saving a place for us in Heaven - see also Romans 8:11.  Rejoice in Christ who gives us true freedom!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me, saves me and gives me true freedom!  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of how You save and for the unbelievable blessings You pour out for me every single day and for eternity.  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.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me....And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Luke 9:23 and Matthew 10:38

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me....And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #38: To Create a Band of Crucified Followers.  The devotion opens by emphasizing how during His last days, Jesus was focused on His God-given mission - to die on the cross.  Nothing could stop this plan - not even Herod. When He was arrested Jesus reminded the disciples that this was always part of the plan - fulfilling prophecy from long ago (Old Testament). See also Luke 9:51, 13:32, and Matthew 26:56.  As the devotion continues to unfold, it provides the image of the road to Calvary and how Jesus had to carry his own cross on this road as He was led to His death. We are then referred to Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:38, and Romans 6:11 as the devotion pivots from Christ's death to Christ's command we must also pick up our own cross and follow Him, as  our old selves must die and we must be born again.  Piper describes the verse in Matthew as having a "terrifying effect" as it specifically shares that if we don't pick up our own cross and follow Him - denying ourselves - we are not worthy of Jesus.  Pointing to Romans 6:11, the devotion then moves to describe this death [leading to rebirth] we must experience: "the old self-determining, self-absorbed me must be crucified. I must every day reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God. This is the path of life[.]"  The devotion concludes by pointing to Hebrews 13:12-13 and Revelation 12:11 as these verses share how believers are called to follow Jesus's example of "bearing the reproach" He endured, even if that means to the point of death and martyrdom. A sobering devotion this morning indeed....yet this is what Jesus calls us to do when He calls us to follow Him.  Our life will not be easy, yet He will be with us every step of the way and He is saving a place in Heaven for us - rejoice! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who willingly went to the cross, suffering and dying for me so that I could have life now....and for eternity in Heaven with You.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin - including harshness towards others - is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You. Help me love 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. 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

1 Peter 2:19, Hebrews 12:3-4, and Philippians 2:5-8

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #37: To Call Us to Follow His Example of Lowliness and Costly Love.  In today's devotion, John Piper opens by clarifying that "imitation [of Christ] is not salvation...[b]ut salvation brings imitation."  Piper then compares Christ's suffering to the suffering we are called to follow as a believer.  Christ's suffering and the "pattern of love" He seeks for us to imitate happen together, yet for believers we must first be justified/pardoned/saved before we can imitate/follow Christ.  Piper explains: "[Christ's] sufferings are unique. They cannot be imitated. No one but the Son of God can suffer “for us” the way Christ did. He bore our sins in a way that no one else could. He was a substitute sufferer. We can never duplicate this. It was once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous. Divine, vicarious suffering for sinners is inimitable."  The devotion then moves to share that while we can imitate Christ exactly, as we follow Jesus, sanctification makes us more like Him "in loving...in suffering to do good to others...in not returning evil for evil...in lowliness and meekness...in patient endurance...[and] in servanthood."  Piper then refers us to Philippians 3:9-10 for scriptural support that explains how this sequence of salvation then causes imitation. The devotion concludes by then sharing how believers' suffering "is crucial" to show Christ's power in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and ultimately to point others to Him - see also 2 Timothy 2:10.  Rejoice in how God saves, makes us more like Him, and uses us to point others to Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and suffered and died for me, so that I could be forgiven of sins and have eternal life.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  Of course I am undeserving of such a gift.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us point 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 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 2:14

He 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 2:14

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #36: To Create a People Passionate for Good Works.  In today's devotion, Piper opens by sharing that "[believers] are forgiven not because we have done good works, but to make us able and zealous to do them....Good deeds are not the foundation of our acceptance, but the fruit of it."  The devotion highlights Titus 2:14 as the key verse for the day, then reminds us that we are saved by grace and our salvation is a gift not something we earn (Ephesians 2:8-9). Ephesians 2:10 echoes Titus 2:14 to share how believers are created by God "for good works." As the devotion continues, Piper then describes how Christ's aim "is not the mere ability to do them, but passion to do them. That’s why the Bible uses the word “zealous.” Christ died to make us “zealous for good works.” Zeal means passion. Christ did not die to make good works merely possible or to produce a halfhearted pursuit. He died to produce in us a passion for good deeds. Christian purity is not the mere avoidance of evil, but the pursuit of good."  Piper then connects the devotion back to Easter and Holy Week by stating that "[t]here are reasons why Jesus paid the infinite price to produce our passion for good deeds."  Of course, the primary reason is to bring Himself glory through us as Piper points to Matthew 5:16.  Believers exist to glorify God and we do this by loving and serving others as God loves and serves us.  Going back to Titus 2:14, Piper then describes how believers are redeemed from all lawlessness, particularly how we are freed from "fear, pride, and greed." In so doing, "we are filled with a zeal to love others the way we have been loved. We risk our possessions and our lives since we are secure in Christ. When we love others like this, our behavior is contrary to human self-enhancement and self-preservation."  Remaining in Titus by moving to 3:14, Piper concludes the devotion by helping define "good works" as helping those in urgent need.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for redeeming me, saving me, and for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of how You love 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.
 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her[.]

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her[.] Ephesians 5:25

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #35: To Give Marriage Its Deepest Meaning.  In today's devotion, Piper describes how Christ's death should be seen as model for marriage, reflecting His design for marriage that "preceded the union of Adam and Eve and the coming of Christ."  See also Ephesians 5:31-32 (quoting Genesis 2:24). At the outset of the devotion, Piper shares that "God's design for marriage in the Bible pictures the husband loving his wife the way Christ loves his people, and the wife responding to her husband the way Christ’s people should respond to him."  Christ's death on the cross reflects a love that husbands should have for their wives.  Piper immediately clarifies that it's "not that husbands should suffer at the hands of their wives."  The point is that God wants marriage to reflect Christ's love for His people, and to make this love more "visible to the world."  Piper continues: "[a]ll [Christ's] sufferings were meant to be a message especially to husbands: This is how every husband should love his wife."  Piper then elaborates as he concludes the devotion: "[h]usbands are not Christ. But they are called to be like him. And the specific point of likeness is the husband’s readiness to suffer for his wife’s good without threatening or abusing her. This includes suffering to protect her from any outside forces that would harm her, as well as suffering disappointments or abuses even from her." 

My Prayer: Thank You Father God for the blessing of my marriage to Lisa! I am not deserving of such a blessing...my sin continues...daily.  I am often not the husband You design me to be.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me be the husband You designed me to be and command me to be.  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.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #34: To Enable Us to Live by Faith in Him.  In today's devotion, Piper starts by unpacking what he describes as a "paradox" in Galatians 2:20 that is not at the same time a "contradiction."  Paul writes in this verse how he died with Christ but he now lives.  For believers this is known as being born again or for theologians such as RC Sproul regeneration.  See also 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:5-6 where Paul describes this death and rebirth. Our "old self" dies and we put on our "new self" and this new self is made progressively more like Jesus through sanctification by the Holy Spirit.  Piper expands on this new self by pointing us to Galatians 2:20 and then sharing how this verse "describes the new self in two ways" first as Christ living in us providing His "presence and help at all times." See also Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:29, and Romans 15:18. The second way believers are new selves is how we live by faith (per Galatians 2:20) "trusting Christ moment by moment."  Both ways we are these new selves go hand in hand per Piper as he states that "[w]ithout this second description of the new self, we might wonder what our part is in experiencing Christ’s daily help. Now we have the answer: faith. From the divine side, Christ is living in us and enabling us to live the way he teaches us to live. It’s his work. But from our side, it’s experienced by trusting him moment by moment to be with us and to help us. The proof that he will be with us and will help us do this is the fact that he suffered and died to make it happen."  Thank You Jesus for my salvation so that I could die to my old self and put on my new self - and that You are with me to bring about this transformation!

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and passion for me, making me new and being with me at all times to help me become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for 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. 

P.S.  Happy Easter!  All Glory to God!

...[F]ar be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 Galatians 6:14

...[F]ar be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #33: To Make His Cross the Ground of All Our Boasting.  In today's devotion, Piper unpacks Galatians 6:14, Piper by sharing that, while the Bible shares that believers are only to boast in the cross, and this for some may seem "over the top" to non-believers.  Yet this is indeed what the Bible says, not just in Galatians 6:14, but also in Romans 5:2, 3, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and 1 Thessalonians 2:19.  While these verses seem to describe boasting about things, they all point to honoring the cross.  Piper then connects the dots for us as he shares that "every good thing—indeed, even every bad thing that God turns for good—was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from faith in Christ, sinners get only judgment. Yes, there are many pleasant things that come to unbelievers.  But the Bible teaches that even these natural blessings of life will only increase the severity of God’s judgment in the end, if they are not received with thanks on the basis of Christ’s sufferings."  We are referred to Romans 2:4-5.  Piper then goes on to share that "everything that we enjoy, as people who trust Christ, is owing to his death. His suffering absorbed all the judgment that guilty sinners deserved and purchased all the good that forgiven sinners enjoy. Therefore all our boasting in these things should be a boasting in the cross of Christ."  Piper encourages all believers to be "radically cross-focused."  We do this by recognizing that when we truly trust in Christ, our old self is dead and we are born again and we belong to Christ.  We also recognize that all of our enjoyment is sourced by God and we seek what God seeks because we love Him and therefore love to please Him.  See yesterday's post.  Piper concludes by sharing that "every legitimate pleasure in the world becomes a blood-bought evidence of Christ’s love and an occasion of boasting in the cross."  Trust in Jesus and experience everlasting joy in Jesus as he becomes "the ground of all our boasting."

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and mercy for me.  Thank You Father God - Jesus - You are deserving of all my boasting.  I am not deserving of the grace You pour out for me...which of course started on the cross and continues though today and ultimately to Heaven where You are saving a place for me.  Thank You for these gifts for which 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.

...[H]e died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

 2 Corinthians 5:15

...[H]e died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:15

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #32: To Enable Us to Live for Christ and Not Ourselves.  In today's devotion, Piper unpacks a truth that he says troubles some - that "Christ died to exalt himself."  Some may view this as vanity but Piper dispels this thought.  To unpack this truth, the devotion first shares that "[t]he very essence of sin is that we have failed to glorify God—which includes failing to glorify his Son (Romans 3:23). But Christ died to bear that sin and to free us from it. So he died to bear the dishonor that we had heaped on him by our sin. He died to turn this around. Christ died for the glory of Christ."  The devotion then continues by sharing that Christ's death on the cross should be viewed as "the supreme act of love."  As such, it is both an act to exalt Himself and to show His love for this He seeks to save.  Piper then shares: "Christ is unique. No one else can act this way and call it love. Christ is the only human in the universe who is also God and therefore infinitely valuable. He is infinitely beautiful in all his moral perfections. He is infinitely wise and just and good and strong....To see him and know him is more satisfying than having all that earth can offer."  See also Hebrews 1:3.  Paul describes this in Philippians 3:7-8.  When scripture states that "we might live for Him," Piper emphasizes that God does not need our help - see Acts 17:25 and Mark 10:45 - "[w]hat Christ died for is not that we might help him, but that we might see and savor him as infinitely valuable. He died to wean us from poisonous pleasures and enthrall us with the pleasures of his beauty. In this way we are loved, and he is honored. These are not competing aims. They are one." The devotion concludes by pointing us to John 16:7, 14 and John 17:24, which describe how (1) Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help believers glorify Him, and the Holy Spirit is the "greatest help in the world" and another act of love and (2) how Christ's love for us is so great for us that He prayed that those who have faith in Him would join Him in Heaven.  Rejoice in Him who loves us so much that He died for us and gave us help to glorify Him (we exist to glorify Him) and to give us "everlasting enjoyment."

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God that gives us Your Son and the Holy Spirit so that we can enjoy You now as infinitely valuable and for eternity with You.  Incredible - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor the blessings You provide for such everlasting enjoyment.  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.    

...[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Romans 7:4

 ...[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #31: So That We Would Die to the Law and Bear Fruit for God.  In today's devotion, Piper  describes how not only did believers' old way of life die on the cross with Christ (see yesterday's devotion), but so did the law of God.  To unpack this claim, Piper first refers us to Romans 4:15 and 3:19 where the text shares that if there is "no law there is no transgression," but in the Old Testament there was law and this law demanded accountability from God.  Piper then points us to Galatians 3:13 where the text describes how Christ became a "curse for us" to free us from "the curse of the law." Piper summarizes this and its implications: "[t]herefore, God’s law cannot condemn us if we are in Christ. Its power to rule us is doubly broken. On the one hand, the law’s demands have been fulfilled by Christ on our behalf.  His perfect law-keeping is credited to our account....On the other hand, the law’s penalty has been paid by the blood of Christ."  Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, and Romans 3:28 are then provided in the devotion to emphasize that believers' justification by God and reconciliation with God is not based on works - it is by faith in Christ alone.  Piper continues by first highlighting how believers belong to God vs the law (see Romans 7:12), then by rhetorically asking how we please God if we are "dead to his law and it is no longer our master?"  He answers his own question by stating that unlike the OT law that was primarily written "outside" and in stone (ten commandments), believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them.  Piper shares: "now righteousness rises within us as a longing in our relationship with Christ. He is present and real. By his Spirit he helps us in our weakness. A living person has replaced a lethal list."  See also 2 Corinthians 3:6-7.  Piper concludes the devotion by leading us to an important implication of no longer belonging to the law as we are referred to Romans 7:4 where the text says that believers died to the law so that we can "bear fruit for God."  Rejoice in no longer belonging to the law and how Christ and the Holy Spirit are within us to please and glorify Him - this is why we exist!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and mercy for me - freeing me from the law so that I could belong to You, You can live in my heart, and You can help me please You - and I know this is why exist - to bring You glory.  Thank You Jesus for saving me and for all of the blessings associated with this salvation.  I am not deserving of my salvation and these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24a

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #30: That We Might Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness.  In this devotion, Piper describes how Christ's death on the cross means that not only does Christ die but those who put their faith in Him as Savior also die - Piper then clarifies how this means that believers' old way of life is put to death and we are given new life - reborn.  See also Romans 6:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, and Galatians 2:20.  Piper continues by sharing how baptism is a portrait of this death and rebirth of our new selves - see also Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12.  Piper summarizes this for us: "[t]herefore, becoming a Christian means death to sin. The old self that loved sin died with Jesus. Sin is like a prostitute that no longer looks beautiful. She is the murderer of my King and myself. Therefore, the believer is dead to sin, no longer dominated by her attractions. Sin, the prostitute who killed my friend, has no appeal. She has become an enemy."  As believers "put on our new selves" (see Ephesians 4:24), submit to Christ, and His desires become our desires (sanctification), we "live to righteousness."  Piper concludes the devotion by referring us to Romans 6:13 where believers are commanded to become "instruments for righteousness."  Rejoice in Him who died for us, taking our sin and old sinful way of life on the cross with Him so that through sanctification we could become more like him and "instruments for righteousness."

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me, and who took my old sinful way of life to the cross, giving me new life.  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of such a gift and the many blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues and it is daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever....Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

Revelation 1:5-6 and Hebrews 13:12

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever....Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Revelation 1:5-6, Hebrews 13:12

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #29: To Free Us from the Slavery of Sin.  Here, John Piper describes, as the title of today's devotion aptly and explicitly shares, how Christ's death on the cross frees us from enslavement to sin.  Of course we must first recognize that all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that no one can claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8).  Piper opens the devotion by stating that sin "ruins us" by rightly condemning us as "guilty before God," and it "disfigure[s] the image of God we [as humans] were meant to display," leaving us "enslaved to lovelessness."  The devotion continues stating that Jesus "frees us from both miseries." The doctrine of justification addresses the first misery, then the doctrine of sanctification progressively frees us from our sin - addressing the second misery.  Piper emphasizes how one cannot simply imitate Christ and through one's own power free oneself from sin.  We must first be justified then sanctified. The sanctification process then works through the Holy Spirit as "the decisive power" that is active and working in this process - see also Romans 6:14 where Paul shares how believers are under grace, and Piper describes this grace as "secure[ing] the omnipotent power of God to destroy our lovelessness (not all at once, but progressively)."  Piper concludes the devotion by referring us to 1 Corinthians 15:10 where Paul testifies how the grace of God or the Holy Spirit worked in Him. Repent, believe in Him and experience the power of Christ to be free from the power of sin!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace that works in me to free from the enslavement of sin and from lovelessness.  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 such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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. 

...[Y]ou were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 1:18-19

...[Y]ou were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #28: To Free Us from the Futility of Our Ancestry.  Here, John Piper, describes how the power of Jesus Christ is able break the cycle of pain that is associated with the "wounding of abusive, codependent, emotionally distant parents." Piper shares that in these families where this wounding occurs, "there is a sense of fatalism that we are bound to live with the curse or the wounds from our ancestry. The future seems futile and void of happiness."  Piper then refers us to 1 Peter 1:18-19 where the text shares that upon Christ's death on the cross, believers are ransomed not with silver and gold but with the blood of Christ, which is infinitely more valuable.  Piper writes: "[w]hen Christ died, God had a view to the relationship between us and our ancestors. He meant to set us free from the futility we inherited from them. That is one of the great reasons Christ died."  Piper expands: the implication is that "[w]hen Jesus died, all the blessings of heaven were purchased for those who trust him. And when God blesses, none can curse."  Piper makes it explicitly clear that, where none can curse, this includes those circumstances in families where people feel trapped (enslaved) by ancestral cycles. When God redeems you, the power of Him working in You, initiated by His blood on the cross, has the power to overcome anything.  Repent, believe and experience the power of Christ in Your life!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are infinitely more valuable than silver or gold and You ransomed/redeemed me with Your blood.  Thank You Father God for saving me and for giving me the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You give me the Holy Spirit and work in my life.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #27: To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest.  Here, John Piper highlights how Jesus is not just interceding on our behalf to the Father, but that he is doing so as someone who experienced "a lifetime of temptation climaxing in spectacular abuse and abandonment[, and that] gave Jesus an unparalleled ability to sympathize with tempted and suffering people." Despite how Jesus experienced this level of temptation, He never succumbed to the pressure to sin.  Piper shares that "He knows what it is to be tempted with fullest force."  Hebrews 4:15-16 then shares that, therefore, Jesus is able to sympathize with us as we are tempted and we are weak.  This then gives us confidence to approach Him in our time of need to bring Him our cares, concerns, and struggles - He will give us mercy and grace.  Piper concludes the devotion by sharing: "He feels with us, not against us. This awareness of Christ’s sympathy makes us bold to come. He knows our cry. He tasted our struggle. He bids us come with confidence when we feel our need." Rejoice and have confidence in Christ who is able to help us in our time of need!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me Your Son who is able to sympathize with me in my time of need and give me mercy and grace! I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 accept 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 every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God[.]

Hebrews 7:23-27, 9:24-26, and 10:11-12

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #26: To Bring the Old Testament Priesthood to an End and Become the Eternal High Priest.  Here, John Piper highlights three sections of text:

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:23-27

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:24-26

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God[.] Hebrews 10:11-12

Piper starts the devotion by defining "once for all," as "something happened that was decisive. The act accomplished so much that it need never be repeated."  This of course is what Christ accomplished through His death on the cross.  The necessity of such a decisive act hearkens back to the inadequacy of the Old Testament animal sacrifices.  These sacrifices had to be repeated year after year as both a reminder of sin and as a means to seek God's forgiveness.  See also Hebrews 10:3.  Yet these sacrifices were insufficient as Piper describes because "[t]he people knew that when they laid their hands on the head of a bull to transfer their sins to the animal, it would all have to be done again. No animal could suffice to suffer for human sins. Sinful priests had to sacrifice for their own sins. Mortal priests had to be replaced. Bulls and goats had no moral life and could not bear the guilt of man."  See also Hebrews 10:4.  Despite the inadequacy of the OT sacrificial system, Piper shares how God honored this system (He created it) and He knew that "one day he would send a servant qualified to complete what these priests could not perform—to put away sin once for all."  Jesus Christ is both this final Priest and Sacrifice.  Rejoice in Jesus Christ who is the Spotless One and Only True Lamb who sits at the right hand of God interceding for us as our Mediator and Advocate.  Rejoice in Christ who took upon Himself the wrath of God so that we could have forgiveness of sin, freedom in Christ in this life, and eternal life with Him.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who sent His Son to take upon Himself the wrath of God to end and replace the inadequacy of the OT sacrificial system.  Jesus then became the Great High Priest who is at Your right hand continuously interceding for me.  Awesome and thank You God.  I am not deserving of such blessings and of 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 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.  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 answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

John 2:19-21

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. John 2:19-21

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #25: To Become for Us the Place Where We Meet God.  Here, John Piper shares with believers what I find to be a deeply profound truth - certainly for myself.  What is surprising for me is that up until this morning, I had yet to recognize this truth or that more accurately God had yet to reveal it to me. Using John 2:19-21 as the emphasized text for the devotion today, Piper shares: "[w]hy did Jesus draw the connection between the Jewish temple and his own body? Because he came to take the place of the temple as the meeting place with God. With the coming of the Son of God in human flesh, ritual and worship would undergo profound change. Christ himself would become the final Passover lamb, the final priest, the final temple. They would all pass away, and he would remain." This is both a subtle but very important truth to discern and recognize - believers easily understand how the OT ceremonial law and ritual practices (animal sacrifice, etc.) passed away, and they also understand that we no longer need to go to a specific place to meet with Jesus, but they may not understand how Jesus became the place to meet with God.  The text today is echoed of course elsewhere as Piper points to Matthew 12:6, Colossians 2:9, and 1 Timothy 2:5.  Piper then describes how, unlike other faiths such as Judaism and Islam, "Christianity has no geographical center."  Simply put, it we want to see God we must repent, believe and we will see/experience Christ. Piper concludes the devotion for today but referring us to John 14:9, Matthew 10:40, 1 John 2:23, and John 5:23. Repent, believe in Christ and experience and see God!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who sent His Son so that I could see and experience You, not just now but for eternity.  Thank You Father God.  I am not deserving of how You sent Your One and Only Son to die for me so that I could experience You in this life and for eternity in Heaven.  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 energy 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.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh[.]

Hebrews 10:19-20

 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh[.] Hebrews 10:19-20

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #24: To Give Us Confident Access to the Holiest Place.  Here, Piper describes how the instructions from God to Moses in Exodus 25:40 - and later referenced in the New Testament in Hebrews 8:5 - for how to build the tabernacle or tent of worship reveal how the Old Testament tabernacle served as a foreshadow for things to come later through Christ. Piper shares: "[j]ust as there were holy rooms in the tabernacle, where the priest repeatedly took the blood of the animal sacrifices and met with God, so there are infinitely superior “holy places,” as it were, in heaven, where Christ entered with his own blood, not repeatedly, but once for all."  See also Hebrews 9:7, 11-12.  The devotion then pivots to the implication, which is that whereas previously (in the Old Testament) only the Jewish priests could enter the most holy place in the tabernacle, now all who believe in Christ can "go with Christ into all the holiest places of God’s presence."  In the OT tabernacle, the curtain protected the most holy place where the priest could enter the presence of the glory of God and upon Christ's death the curtain was torn (Matthew 27:51) allowing believers to enter the most holy places.  We are referred to Hebrews 10:19-20 and Piper summarizes for us: "[w]ithout Christ the holiness of God had to be protected from us. He would have been dishonored, and we would have been consumed because of our sin. But now, because of Christ, we may come near and feast our hearts on the fullness of the flaming beauty of God’s holiness."  Repent, believe and experience and enjoy the fullness of God's glory!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me access to Yourself and the most holy places, and for saving a place in Heaven for me where I will meet You face to face.  Incredible!  I am not deserving of course as my sin 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, energy 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. 

[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead[.]...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price....Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Romans 7:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and Acts 20:28

[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead[.]...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price....Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Romans 7:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Acts 20:28

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #23: So That We Might Belong to Him.  Here, John Piper shares what is likely to be very controversial for those who are not believers and perhaps openly hostile to God; that is that "[t]here is no autonomy in the fallen world. We are governed by sin or governed by God."  This should be non-controversial for for believers, at least those familiar with scripture - for example, Piper refers us to Romans 6:16, 20, 22 on this question.  Piper then elaborates: "[m]ost of the time we are free to do what we want. But we are not free to want what we ought. For that we need a new power based on a divine purchase. The power is God’s." We are then referred to Romans 6:17 and 2 Timothy 2:25-26.  For those that believe, Christ's death on the cross (and subsequent resurrection) gives us (He purchases) our freedom from enslavement to sin. Piper points to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Acts 20:28 for scriptural support on this. Piper concludes the devotion to share how once we are no longer slave to sin, as believers we become slaves to God which Piper describes as not autonomous or independent but free (and desirous of) to "want what is good." Obedience to the OT law meant rules - instead believers in Christ die to this way of life and live a new life in Christ - see also Romans 7:4. Repent, believe, and experience freedom in Christ!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that gives me true freedom...freedom in You!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how I belong to You and have this freedom.  My sin continues and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this 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.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.] ...But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

1 Peter 3:18 and Ephesians 2:13

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.] ...But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 2:13

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #22: To Bring Us to God.  Here, John Piper highlights what he believes is "crucial" for believers to comprehend: "what is the ultimate good in the good news? It all ends in one thing: God himself. All the words of the gospel lead to him, or they are not gospel."  Piper expands on this by sharing that none of doctrine (salvation, forgiveness, justification, redemption, adoption, etc.) is "good news" without a relationship with God where a believer deeply desires Him and is thoroughly satisfied with Him above anything else.  Piper states: "[t]his is the greatest thing Christ died for. “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18)....Long before Christ came, God revealed himself as the source of full and lasting pleasure. 'You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore' (Psalm 16:11). Then he sent Christ to suffer 'that he might bring us to God.' This means he sent Christ to bring us to the deepest, longest joy a human can have. Hear then the invitation: Turn from 'the fleeting pleasures of sin' (Hebrews 11:25) and come to 'pleasures forevermore.'" Repent, believe in Him and enjoy Christ as Savior and the source of our greatest joy forevermore.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and my source of inexpressible joy - there is nothing else I enjoy more than You.  I am undeserving of how full of grace for me that You provide such joy for me.  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 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 for 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 if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 5:10

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #21: To Reconcile Us to God.  Here, John Piper explores the doctrine of reconciliation (see also RC Sproul on this topic).  The Fall (Genesis 3) ushered in the need for reconciliation as the sins in the Garden of Eden brought about consequences of sin - primarily separation from God (see specifically Genesis 3:23-24). In the devotion, Piper first shares that reconciliation requires action from both man and God: "[humanity's] attitude toward God must be changed from defiance to faith. And God’s attitude to [humanity] must be changed from wrath to mercy. But the two are not the same. [All of humanity] need[s] God’s help to change; but God does not need [humanity's help]."  Piper then shares how God does not need to actually change because is it is "in His nature" to love and save us.  Reconciliation occurs as a result of "God’s own planned action to stop being against me and start being for me."  Romans 5:10 is described as key for us to understand because God's action towards us was done both first and while we were still hostile to Him.  Most hostility towards God is described as not "consciously hostile" but instead as "quiet insubordination and indifference."  God's first move towards us in reconciliation is then described by referencing other scripture - specifically Matthew 5:23-24 - where the text shares that believers, if you are to offer a gift at the at the alter, you are first to reconcile with a brother then offer your gift.  Piper concludes the devotion by sharing: "...when we hear the gospel of Christ, we find that God has already done that: He took the steps we could not take to remove his own judgment. He sent Christ to suffer in our place. The decisive reconciliation happened “while we were enemies.” Reconciliation from our side is simply to receive what God has already done, the way we receive an infinitely valuable gift."  Rejoice in the gift of salvation and reconciliation with God!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for the reconciliation that allows me to be in fellowship with You.I am not deserving of my salvation nor the reconciliation You provide.  My sin is great and it continues - daily.   Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from 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.