Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark 10:13-16

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:15-16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:13-16.  Excerpts from the commentary's final section which explores the question of "what happens to those who die in infancy, die young, or never reach an age of moral discernment (often called the “age of accountability”)" - whether these children go to heaven:

• It is acknowledged that debate over this is not settled and often highly esteemed theologians differ including RC Sproul (negative), Charles Spurgeon (affirmative), and Billy Graham (affirmative).
• The author of my commentary - Danny Akin - offers seven points that guides him to his position which is also affirmative.  
•  "First, the grace, goodness, and mercy of God would support the position." See 1 John 4:8, 1 Timothy 2:4, and Matthew 18:14.
• "Second, when the baby boy who was born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:15-18), David did two significant things. He confessed his confidence that he would see the child again, and he comforted his wife Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:23-24). David must have been confident that his little son was with God." 
• "Third, in James 4:17, the Bible says, “So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.” The Bible is clear that we are all born with a sin nature as a result of being in Adam (Romans 5:12), called “original sin.” However, the Scriptures make a distinction between original sin and actual sins. Infants are incapable of actual sins because they are incapable of moral discernment. Original sin is why infants die physically. Actual sins committed with knowledge and understanding are why people die spiritually and eternally if they die without Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12-13)."  
• "Fourth, Jesus affirmed that the kingdom of God belonged to little children (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)."  
• "Fifth, Scripture affirms that the number of saved souls is great (Revelation 7:9)."  
• "Sixth, some in Scripture are said to be chosen or sanctified from the womb (1 Samuel 1:8–2:21; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:15). This affirms the salvation of some infants and refutes the view that only baptized babies are assured of heaven. 
• "Seventh, Deuteronomy 1:35-39 is helpful. After the children of Israel rebelled against God in the wilderness, God sentenced that generation to die in the wilderness. But God specifically exempted young children and infants from this sentence and explained, '[y]our little children, whom you said would be plunder, your sons who don’t know good from evil, will enter there.' This passage bears directly on the issue of infant salvation and implies that the accomplished work of Christ has removed the stain of original sin from those who die in infancy. Knowing neither good nor evil, these children are incapable of committing sins in the body—are not yet moral agents—and die secure in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
• "Anyone who is saved is saved because of the grace of God, the saving work of Jesus Christ, and the undeserved and unmerited regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Like all who have ever lived, except for Jesus, infants need to be saved. Only Jesus can take away their sin, and if they are saved, it is because of His sovereign grace and abounding mercy....For those incapable of willful acts of sin, we can rest assured God will, indeed, do right. Precious little ones are the objects of His saving mercy and grace."

As a parent of a special needs child (17 yrs old), I am greatly comforted by the study this morning.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who saves.  Thank You for the comforting words spoken through my commentary this morning.  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. 

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark 10:13-16

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:14-16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:13-16.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv14-16):

• The title for this division per the commentary is "We Should Learn from Children About the Kingdom of God." 
• "There is something about a child that is essential for entrance into the kingdom of God. It is not their innocence, for they are not innocent! They are little sinners just like we are big sinners. Nor is it their purity or that they are sweet. Again, they are sinners with Adam and Eve’s and your and my DNA running throughout their being. Still, for some reason, Jesus says children are a better example of how to enter the kingdom than are adults. “We tell children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model themselves after the children” (Wiersbe, Be Diligent, 99)!"   
• "Children are helpless. Their lives are in the hands of another. Yet, even at a tender age, they seem to be filled with hope and expectation. They don’t know all they need, but they know they need the help of another, and they are hopeful they will receive it."  
• "Jesus says the kingdom of God is received not earned. It is received like a little child, or it is not received at all. By their display of trust and absolute dependence on another, children point the way to entrance into God’s kingdom."  
• "Jesus picked up the children. What a picture of amazing gospel grace! He is tender and affectionate to those who bring nothing to Him but their need. He even “laid His hands on them and blessed them.”...He picked up and held these children, spoke a word of blessing over them, and attached high value to their intrinsic worth."

Children assume a posture of humility by nature.  Adults can assume this posture through humility - in my view of the greatest themes in scripture.  First and foremost we must understand that God is in control of all the details in the universe and we are in His hands, completely dependent on Him for everything....and for believers this of course includes our own salvation and faith.  Apart from God we can do nothing - see John 15:5.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that is all powerful and in control of every aspect of my life yet at the same time full of grace, mercy, and love - You save!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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. 

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Mark 10:13-16

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-14

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:13-16.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to this text and for the first (of two) division (vv13-14):

• The title for the this chapter of the commentary covering the entirety of the text (vv13-16) is "Jesus Loves the Little Children (Why I Believe Children Who Die Go to Heaven)."
• The main idea from the commentary for the entirety of the text is "Jesus loves all children, and He lovingly calls all people to become like dependent children if they are to enter His kingdom." 
• The title for the first division per the commentary is: "We Should Bring Children to Jesus."  
• "Throughout history the intrinsic value of children has often been ignored. Biblical examples of dishonoring children as image bearers include Herod’s killing of babies during Jesus’ day, mirroring the Pharaoh in Exodus. In general children were not held in high esteem by Romans. By Jesus’ time Romans had a trash heap beside many homes where people could leave unwanted children. If other people wanted the children, they would pick them up. Sometimes these kids were raised to be prostitutes, gladiators, or slaves. Unfortunately, the world is not much safer for today’s children."  
• "The only way to have a balanced view of children is to have a biblical view, to see them as God sees them: they are His gifts to parents (Psalms 127:3-5); they provide an illustration as to how we enter the kingdom of God (Mark 9:14-15)."  
• "Chapter 10 divides into five major sections: Jesus teaches on marriage in verses 1-12 and on children in verses 13-16. Then He addresses the perils of possessions (vv17-31) and the glory of sacrificial service (vv32-45). Finally, Jesus responds to the faith of a blind man (vv46-52). The concern and love our Savior has for children is crystal clear."   
• "One would have a difficult time finding in ancient literature concern for children comparable to that shown by Jesus (Edwards, Mark, 306)." 
• We are encouraged to be like those who brought the children to Jesus in v13.  Stand up and focus on children. 
• V14 "is the only time Jesus is said to be “indignant.” His righteous anger was aroused, and He publicly rebuked them. James Edwards says, “The object of a person’s indignation reveals a great deal about the person. Jesus’ displeasure here reveals his compassion and defense of the helpless, vulnerable, and powerless” (Mark, 306). Jesus is affirming that children are worth His time, and they should be worth our time!" 
• "There are several ways we can consistently and actively lead children to Christ. We can evangelize them with a gospel-saturated home. We can disciple them with a Bible-saturated home. We can pray with them in a prayer-saturated home. We can encourage them, bless them, and challenge them." 

I indeed feel blessed by children, echoing the words of Psalm 127:3-5.  I also understand the responsibilities God charges myself and Lisa with to be parents.  Father God please help us be the parents You design us to be!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saves, loves, and blesses - including marriage and children.  Thank You!  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 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.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:13-16

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:13-16, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus believes that children are important - we as a community of believers should not put anything in the way of them hearing the gospel message.  Jesus also wants all of us to emulate how children are, including how they are curious and soak up their teachings, and how they possess other attributes, including dependence on others for care and provision.    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Some see children as important - see the parents and caregivers in v13. There are many people however - i.e. the disciples v13 - who often don't see children as important to God.  Yet, anyone seeking to receive the Kingdom of God must approach God with a child-like presence and unless you do, you will not experience nor enter God's Kingdom.     
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Children are an example to follow in terms of their attributes of learning and dependence, etc.  The claim to promise is the inverse of v15 where if believers do receive the Kingdom of God like a child we will enter it. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for my salvation and for meeting my every need.  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. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 6

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I look deeper at Ephesians 6:1-9, leaning on commentary from John Piper from this video, which focuses on fatherhood - Paul's subject in v4:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

First John Piper indicates how Paul is writing specifically to fathers here in v4a, and only excluding mothers because there is deference to the father as the spiritual leader of the household (see Ephesians 5), and because v1-3 speak to how mothers and fathers work together to raise Godly children given Paul's instruction in those verses refer to "parents" and there is an implied agreement between mom and dad.  Piper also refers us to Proverbs 1:8 and 6:20 where scripture reinforces how mothers are of course involved (heavily) - but there is deference from mom to dad as dad takes primary responsibility for raising Godly children.  Piper then moves on to 4b where the focus is how father's must "bring [children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  This provision is more important than food or other physical provision.  Piper points to Hebrews 12:5-11 where discipline is emphasized in its importance.  Instruction is broken down as both an affirmative but also with qualification in that if you don't do it - harsh consequences await (a warning), and in this case the consequences are eternal damnation.  Fathers are also urged to know their children and their inclinations, and based on this model Godly behavior and Piper uses Psalm 103:13-14 and Colossians 3:20-21 to help guide fathers - and finally to aim at holiness and joy.  See below for a summary from the video.

 

 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who gave me incredible children - I am not deserving of the blessings they are - my sin is great and it continues, particularly in how I have left my children down with respect to raising them according to Your design and intent.  I am grateful for how You have forgiven this and redeemed much of it but there is more to be done - continue to work in my heart and life - please!  Help me turn from my sin, overcome it, and turn towards You. 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 and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 6

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move on to Ephesians 6, looking at my initial observations of this chapter. Here we have commands for children and parents (v1-4), and for bondservants and masters (v5-9), as well as an exhortation to be strong and to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (v10-11) because believers "do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (v12). The "whole armor of God" includes the Word, the Holy Spirit, faith, and our salvation. We are also encouraged to pray "at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (v18), and "to keep alert with all perseverance" (v18).  I look forward to further unpacking this chapter in the next several days.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who defeated sin and death for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the sacrifice You made 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.  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.

  

When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.

Proverbs 1:8-7

When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 4:3-4

As part of my D-Group's study of Proverbs using the Knowing the Bible study series for this book, I continue with an examination of Proverbs, moving to week 3, which focuses on Proverbs 1:8-7.  Today, I focus on the 5th through the 8th paternal appeal found in Proverbs:

• Proverbs 4:1-9 (including referral to Deuteronomy, Psalm 78:1-8, Matthew 19:13, and Ephesians 6:1-4) > parents must pass on a love of God and His law to their children and their children's children
  
• Proverbs 4:10-19 > understand the benefits and pitfalls of the contrasting paths of righteousness vs wickedness
  
• Proverbs 4:20-27 > focus on heart condition as this contains the key to avoiding falling into the snare of sin
  
• Proverbs 5 > avoid the allure of sexual immorality
  

I am prayerful that I am doing what I should and can to pass on my love of God to Zach and Dustin.

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

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Leviticus 12

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twelve - God Rules from Our Birth - covering Leviticus 12:1-8, looking specifically at the first theme - God Provides the Propitiation for Our Sin.  Here, the commentary focuses on atonement and propitiation where the latter "is the "New Testament word for atonement", quoting the commentary.  The commentary states that atonement and propitiation are appropriate topics in the context of childbirth in Leviticus 12 because of the blood and the resulting uncleanness (see post few days ago), and because children are born sinners, as our sinful nature is part of all of us since The Fall (Genesis 3). The commentary also reminds us that in Genesis 3:16, God specifically states that with childbirth, He "will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children." The commentary then states that "the pain of childbirth reminds us of the presence of sin in the human race because of the original sins of Adam and Eve....When a child is born, we know that child is a sinner, and because sin leads to death that child is born to die.  Ironically, birth is a reminder of our death and our death is because of sin.  Sin leads to death.  Thank God He provides propitiation for our sin."  We are encourage to refer to 1 John 2:1-2 and 4:10. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - You sent Your Son Jesus for me!  Thank You!  I am not deserving such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  I worry...I know this is sin.  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.   

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Leviticus 12

Know that the Lord, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter twelve - God Rules from Our Birth - covering Leviticus 12:1-8, looking specifically at the first theme - God Commands Celebration of Childbirth.  Here, the commentary focuses on the purification laws for mothers following childbirth as described in Leviticus 12.  The commentary makes it clear that these laws of course do not imply that childbirth is a sin, or that the mother did anything sinful; the commentary also emphasizes that these laws should not detract from God's view that childbirth is cause for celebration.  We are encouraged to refer to Genesis 1:28, Psalm 100:3, and 127:4-5, as three examples of many where childbirth is celebrated, and where we can stand Biblically against the sin of abortion. The commentary also contrasts blood during childbirth vs blood during sacrifices made for atonement; "[p]eople became unclean by sin and their association with anything that resembled or represented the realm of death.  In the case of childbirth, childbirth involves blood, blood was associated with death, so childbirth rendered women [ritually] unclean because of the blood.  The only blood God allowed in the tabernacle was sacrificial blood, the blood of animals shed for the purpose of atonement. Everything else that had to do with death was kept separate from the tabernacle.  Thus, childbirth rendered a woman ritually unclean but not morally unclean." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, worthy of my praise and worship - You made me and everyone else and Your design and Your works are incredible and You make no mistakes.  We are all fearfully and wonderfully made....and You knit all of us together.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You made me, my family, and all those I know - all blessings.  My sin of worry continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

...[S]ince what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Chapter 33: Pages 468-478, Romans 5, 8, Luke 13, and Romans 1 

...[S]ince what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:19-20

This afternoon, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) with Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 6 "Providence Over Sin" - moving to chapter thirty-three "A Wickedness God Especially Abhorred".

Here, Piper explores God's providence over the suffering and death of children. He first explores how God deals harshly with those in the Old Testament who sacrifice their own children.  He then quickly moves to the shedding of blood during the Great Flood and during the Passover in Exodus 12. While of no comfort, Piper reminds us - through use of Paul in Romans 5:12-21 - that the original sin from the Fall brought suffering and death for all - no one escapes the consequences.  He then points to Romans 8:20-23 where all - including children - experience eternal life in Heaven.  

We are then urged to look at Luke 13:1-5 where Piper sees "all calamity as a call to repentance." 

Finally, Piper looks at Romans 1:19-20 for hope with children not yet able to declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Piper believes that children that "don't have the perception through mental reflection, and therefore do not have access to the revelation of God, and therefore will be treated by God as having an excuse at the judgment day."  As a father to a special needs child - I embrace this hope.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God who has given me faith and You have given me hope - I am grateful beyond what my words describe.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of the love You pour out for me.  I worry and I have many other sins...today and every day.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

2 Kings 20-21 and 2 Chronicles 32-33

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 2 Kings 21:9, 2 Chronicles 33:9

Day 191 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning as the throne passes from Hezekiah to his son Manasseh.  My commentary* indicates that although "Judah has experienced a spiritual revival" under Hezekiah, "every generation must determine its own commitment, and the fibers of faith are so fragile that a single misguided leader can entice the hearts of believers to worship lesser gods. Whether it is because Hezekiah was so busy leading his nation to God that he neglected his own children, or because his son, at the age of 12, takes the reins of power at far too early an age, the sad fact is that Manasseh turns the people from God back to idolatry and other pagan practices".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Manasseh did not seek God and he led Judah to turn from God.

For me this strikes a chord as I pray that both Zach and Dustin acknowledge their need for Jesus, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and develop a daily/lifelong relationship with Jesus where with every breath and bone in their body they seek to honor and glory God.  This is a decision each must make on their own and all I can do is model Jesus in my life and pray for both of them.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and I am grateful that YOU gave me faith and the many blessings that come with faith - I know there is a long way for me to go and You continue to work in my heart and life but I have seen Your hand in my life and I am grateful.  I also know I am not deserving.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1, 14, 15, 36, 37, and 39

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

Day 114 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I start a new group: "Psalms About Righteousness and Wickedness" where David cries out to the Lord regarding the apparent inequity of the wicked who seem to escape judgment and punishment while the righteous suffer.

Today's psalms focus on prayers for vitality of the righteous and vulnerability of the wicked, foolishness of disbelief and misery of evildoers, characteristics of a righteous person, depravity of the wicked and favor of the righteous, how the righteous poor have no cause to envy wicked, and over difficulty withholding outrage and a reminder of life's brevity.

I often worry - primarily over Zach and Dustin and how they will get on with life - whether they will desire to follow Jesus.  While today's psalms focus on it how it is unnecessary for believers to worry about how the wicked will escape judgement and punishment (they will not), I am reminded how I should not worry...period.  This includes worry over children and their righteousness. 

A helpful post on DesiringGod.com makes a distinction between sinful worry and anxiety versus righteous anxiety which is described as "parents godly concerns over the spiritually dangerous influences their children will face in the world".  The post encourages us to "translate our fear-fueled concerns into prayer requests, weaving them with thanksgiving for graces we’ve received from God and all the promises he’s made to us (2 Peter 1:4), and give them over to God".

I am reminded of Moses words to the Israelites as they saw impending doom when trapped between the mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other with the Egyptian army bearing down on them: 

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You fight for me...and for Zach and Dustin.  I am not worthy for how You protect me and fight for me...and for my kids.  Please forgive my worldly worry.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You and to be still.  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 an 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 King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

2 Samuel 12:24-25, 2 Samuel 5:13-16, 1 Chronicles 3:4-9, 14:3-7, 2 Samuel 13-14

And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death. 2 Samuel 13:39

Day 100 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the birth of Solomon, the rape of Tamar (daughter of David) by Amnon (son of David), and Absalom's (son of David) revenge killing of Amnon.

Much like David longs for Absalom in spite of his sin, God longs for us despite our sin.

There are very important distinctions we must recognize regarding how God BOTH loves and hates us as sinners.  John Piper provides great clarity on these distinctions. Piper's starting point is that God hates sinners (referencing Psalm 5:4-5 and 11:5).  Piper writes, "[s]o, it is just not true to give the impression that God doesn’t hate sinners by saying he loves the sinner and hates the sin. He does hate sinners. His wrath is real. It is not something he pours out on people he approves of".  He then goes on to write how God ALSO loves sinners, referencing John 3:16.  Piper writes: ... "[this] matters [because] [i]f we don’t understand that God finds us hateful and loathsome in our ugly sin, we won’t be as stunned by what his love is for us".

God's love for us should in Piper's words "stun" us - and it does!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, even while I continue to sin and even though I am still a sinner - thank You Jesus!  I know You hate both sin and sinners (like me) but You also love me and sent Your Son Jesus to save me - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I love You but I am not deserving.  I continue to sin...to complain/grumble and to be harsh with others.  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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. v22

Paul writes to Timothy, who by most accounts is younger than many other church leaders at the time - perhaps easily swayed by others the same age pursuing earthly influences.  This of course strikes a chord given Zach and Dustin's age and my role.  I continue to encourage both of them to "[f]lee the evil desires of youth".  Yet in Paul's message there is of course guidance for us all. 

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. v23-26

I often find myself in "foolish and stupid arguments", being "quarrelsome" and I am reminded to "gently instruct" those who I desire to lead "to a knowledge of the truth".  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me truth and wisdom - I know You are not done with me, yet I am grateful for what You have done for me and continue to do for me.  Thank You Jesus for the blessings You pour out for me.  I am undeserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. v16

Luke 18

But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. v16

John Piper offers great teaching and encouragement on these verses in Luke 18 (v15-17).  I am reminded of my role as spiritual head of the household and that I should be taking time to instruct my sons on scripture.  I need to do more!

Jesus - please help me be effective as spiritual leader of my household!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are my Heavenly Father as well as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You for making time for me and for paving the way for me to have salvation, life to the full and so much more...! I am undeserving of such blessings.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. v51-52

As a parent, the most important thing I wish for my sons is to believe in Jesus.  Zach is old enough now where he makes decisions for himself that I must live with.  Just as Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, Zach and Dustin are growing less dependent on Lisa and myself - and we pray that "grace of God is on them just as it was with Jesus (v40).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who loves Zach and Dustin...and they are a blessing to our family!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry..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 today and every day.

My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.

Ezekiel 37

My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. v12-14

I worry often how Zach and Dustin will fare when they are beyond the walls of my house, when my role of a parent shifts to that of a perhaps distant family member.  

I found this great John Piper resource - Thank You God for this encouragement!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You provided not just today's encouragement but also all the many ways You bless me - thank You Jesus.   I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry - 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.  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.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. v6

As a father, I am reassured of my efforts to point Zach and Dustin to Jesus.  But there is more I can do, to demonstrate love of Jesus and a desire to glorify Him.  

Help me Jesus, determine what more I can do, and give me the strength and confidence to obey Your will for my life.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has molded me into a better man, a better father, and a better husband.  Thank You Jesus.  I know You are not done with me.  There is sin You need to remove and more work for me to do.  Please forgive me for my worry and my sloth.  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 do.  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 the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28

[F]or the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. v9

For those of us with children, this is an important perspective because we should consider the distinction between a sincere profession of faith and a mature profession of faith - a distinction written about by John Piper.

Bottom line - faith should be anchored by a recognition that we need a savior, Jesus is that Savior, and that we commit ourselves to follow Him (pray, read Bible, go to church, serve, grow, etc.).

I have a 15 yr old son who is not baptized and while I continue to shepherd his heart towards Jesus, I am not in any rush to baptize him.  I agree with John Piper and agree that we should baptize children once they fully appreciate what it means to be baptized, and I would go further to add what "what it means to be a believer", including implications of key commands from God such as love God and love others.

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

 
My prayer is that my children will seek Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saved me, provides for all my needs, and who loves me beyond my comprehension - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

Proverbs 29

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. v15

Discipline often conveys a harshness that it should not.  A dictionary definition includes the following: 

1:  punishment 

2 obsolete:  instruction

3:  a field of study 

4:  training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character

5a:  control gained by enforcing obedience or order; b :  orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior; c :  self-control 

6:  a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity

This same definition also provides the following: 

Discipline comes from discipulus, the Latin word for pupil, which also provided the source of the word disciple (albeit by way of a Late Latin sense-shift to “a follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime”). Given that several meanings of discipline deal with study, governing one’s behavior, and instruction, one might assume that the word’s first meaning in English had to do with education. In fact, the earliest known use of discipline appears to be punishment-related; it first was used in the 13th century to refer to chastisement of a religious nature, such as self-flagellation.

Given the Latin roots of the word "discipline", and given the Latin roots (Greek) of the Bible, in my view, the author (Solomon) intended that discipline be a positive thing regardless of whether used in the context of punishment or instruction/training because punishment is meant to instruct and train (assuming it is not harsh). 

All of this aside - we should be looking for ways to train our children.  For the key is to have a relationship that enables such training.

Pastor Scott at our church uses Ephesians 6:4 as support for this point:

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You have molded me into more of who You are and I am thankful for how You have transformed my heart and my life.  You have made me more patient (although not as patient as You want me to be I am sure), more compassionate, etc. I know You are not done with me but I am thankful for YOUR patience with me!  Please forgive me for my harshness with others.  I don't like it when I am. Help me turn from such sin towards You and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.