Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, which covers the third part of the second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the third (and last) part referred to as Jesus.  The commentary for this text asserts that these last few verses of chapter 6 "are a reflection on the early chapters of Genesis and the fall of mankind (Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, 317–18). It repeatedly references Adam and even the naming of things (6:10; cf. Gen 2:19). It is known what man is, and Ecclesiastes has consistently said that man is “dust” (3:20). The words Adam and dust are semantically linked because man was made from the dust and is heading back to the dust due to the fact that in Eden he tried to contend with God, who is stronger than man! Who knows what is good for Adam (6:12)? This phrase calls us back to the time before the fall when everything was pronounced good. Now, however, fallen Adam’s days pass like a shadow. Only God can tell what will happen after we pass off the scene." The commentary than uses the 3 Circles tool to further describe the text today: "[t]he first circle shows that God has a design for everything in His world. God intends the material gifts He gives us to be used in certain ways that will cause us to flourish. Thus, he has a design for sex, food, relationships, work, and yes, money. These things are not “good” or “bad” in and of themselves. They can be used in good and godly ways that benefit us or in evil and sinful ways that harm us....The second circle shows that our departure from God’s design, which the Bible calls “sin,” inevitably leads us into brokenness because we are not using things as God designed them to be used....When we do not use money as God designed—for provision, contentment, and generosity—then we become broken. Thus, love of money, hoarding, and failure to be content causes all of the harm we have seen in Ecclesiastes 5–6. It makes us miserable, lonely, insecure, and distrustful....The final circle shows that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, taking on Himself all of our sin and brokenness so that He could secure forgiveness, freedom, and a new start for us (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are called to recognize that we are broken, to repent of our sin and brokenness, and to trust in Jesus. When we do, He then makes us new creations who are filled with the Spirit and now have the ability to recover and pursue God’s original design for our lives."  Surrender to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior to find a satisfaction, peace and joy (and most importantly salvation) that cannot be found in the world.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God (the One and Only True God) who provides for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  You also saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. Ecclesiastes 6:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, which covers the third part of second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the third (and last) part referred to as Jesus. Solomon concludes chapter 6, in vv10-12, with one statement and two rhetorical questions.  In v10a, Solomon describes how God is in control as our current circumstances are not just known but named, implying they are part of a script that God is playing out.  In v10b, He  describes how humanity is known, implying how we are all broken and sinful in how we chase money, wealth and other pursuits that become idols.  Finally, in v10c, he states how humanity "is not able to dispute with one stronger than he."  God of course is stronger than humanity and in control of everything - He has a plan and it cannot be stopped.  Believers can take great hope from this because we know ultimately that our salvation is sealed and the victory over sin and death is assured as it was already accomplished by Jesus' death on the cross.  Blessed assurance indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, saved me and gives me assurance that my salvation is sealed - You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You for the comfort in knowing that I am saved, sealed, and the victory over sin and death is already won.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 6:9

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:9, which covers the second part of second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the first second part referred to as Contentment and Joy in What God Has Given You. The commentary shares how "what you have, where you are in life, and the ability to enjoy those things are all from God. It is not just what you have that is a gift from God; the ability to enjoy it is also a gift. To be able rightly and fully to enjoy the things of this world is a gift of God’s grace (Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, 315). God gives this ability so that you do not remember the misery of this cursed world because time flies when you are having fun. The key factor to all of this is God. One can only enjoy material blessings as rightly intended and designed in dependence on God." The commentary for 6:1-2 describes how God can withhold joy of one's wealth and possessions as a means to draw someone to Himself.  The commentary shares: "He gives some the inability to enjoy what they have because in His goodness He will not give you something that drives you away from Him. He knows there is no such thing as happiness apart from Him." The commentary then shares how regardless of whether we are rich or poor we all face the same predicament - often desiring more than what we have...and this is futile and ungodly. God wants us to focus entirely on satisfaction in Him and to bring Him glory.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 6:9

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:9, which covers the second part of second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the first second part referred to as Contentment and Joy in What God Has Given You.  Here, as the commentary titles describe, the text today emphasizes how, while God gives us money and possessions to enjoy, we are not to lust over more money or possessions such that they become idols.  V5:18 shares that it is "good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot."  V19 shares similarly: "[e]veryone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God." V20 is interesting and worthy of reflection because even after few reads it is less clear: "[f]or he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart."  Clearly, Solomon is connecting v20 to v18-19; how he is occupied with joy in his heart is less clear.  My sense is that he is making this connection to describe how God gives humanity money and possessions to enjoy, much like he gives us the natural world to enjoy, and this joy that God gives us is consuming. Then, starting in chapter 6:1-2, Solomon describes an evil where a man is given by God wealth and possessions but then God does not give him the power to enjoy them and they are enjoyed by a stranger.  The meaning of this is not clear after reading one or two times.  Perhaps this stranger stole them, and Solomon is describing how things of this world are fleeting and we should not too much hope in them because of circumstances such as theft, etc. Continuing in vv3-6, Solomon describes how one can have much money, possessions, and children, and also live a long life, yet "his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial."  This proves the futility of life focused on money and possessions - we should enjoy them but focus on finding satisfaction in God first and foremost and see how all things are from Him (see James 1:14-17). The text for today ends with a gem from Solomon who shares how what we have and can see with our own eyes should be sufficient for our satisfaction vs what we cannot see but lust after. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides all that I need for my joy and satisfaction.  I am not deserving of how You bless me, most importantly for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

1 Corinthians 7

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 1 Corinthians 7:24

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. The main idea from the commentary*: "[o]bedience to God matters more than one’s social condition." The introduction emphasizes how we (believers) are not to feel anxious about our social status or condition as God only cares where You love Him and are obedient to Him.  It* states: "Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7 that we are not to worry whether we are married, single, divorced, or widowed. We should not concern ourselves about ethnic or social distinctions and status. Rather, each should find contentment in his or her identity in Christ and station in life, whatever it is. After all, it is our Lord who put us where we are."  The commentary then unpacks the text in three divisions:

1. Be Content in Your Assignment from the Lord (7:17): Paul moves from discussing sex, marriage, singleness and other sin - all of which cause anxiety - to more basic teaching on how God uses us regardless of our social standing or circumstances - He knows where we are and meets us there to take the gifts He has given us and use them for His glory.  We should rest and have peace about this.  Paul emphasizes that the text for today is not just for Corinth but for all churches (v17).
   
2. Be Content in Your Conditions in the Lord (7:18-22): Paul then illustrates is point in v17 by looking at two of the more prominent distinctions in life at the time he wrote this letter to the church in Corinth: (1) circumcised or not (religious status), (2) bondservant or not (economic status). These distinctions are irrelevant - only obedience to God matters (v19).
   
3. Be Content in Your Relationship with the Lord (7:23-24): Here the commentary* encourages those who are anxious of how others may feel about your social or economic standing to find comfort and confidence in Christ - looking more closely at v23 where we should not be enslaved to others' opinions: "One’s social status according to human standards now means nothing! As a new creation in Christ, then, don’t be enslaved to shame or pride. Don’t be enslaved to the opinions of others because they don’t matter. Christ is Lord, and he says we belong to him. That is what counts! Find your identity, value, and worth in Jesus." We are referred to Philippians 4:11-13.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

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

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

Philippians 4

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

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

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are SO good as You DO supply for every need - in all times good and bad!  Thank You Jesus - I also know You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30-31

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9

I continue my study of Proverbs - starting week 10 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 30-31:9.  My focus for today is questions #1-3 in my workbook and these questions look at: (1) humility and how we should view knowledge and wisdom as coming from God alone (Proverbs 30:2-4); (2) how insatiable earthly cravings drive sinful behavior (Proverbs 30:15-16); and (3) how we should be content with what we have (Proverbs 30:7-9).

Question #3 in particular strikes me this morning and how currently here in our country we are blessed beyond what anyone could imagine both relative to impoverished parts of the world and relative to our own country when compared to historical standards. In Proverbs 30:8-9, Agur prays that God provides what is needed, not riches nor poverty.  He wisely makes this prayer recognizing that too much may tempt us to deny God (thinking what we have is from our own doing), and too little would cause us to curse God.  This post from DesiringGod.com is instructive this morning.   The post provide this as a takeaway: recognize that "[w]e need Christ and his strength to live focused on heaven, to risk reputation and fortune, and to make it clear in a land full of abundance, that we seek a better country — a heavenly one."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice....Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

 Psalm 51

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice....Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:8, 12

As this is the last day of my vacation, a pause of my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs ends today as after today I will resume one or the other - for today, I listened to DesiringGod.com's daily devotion, which focuses on sexual sin and how David sought not to address the symptoms of this sin (in his case adultery) but the root of this sin.  John Piper describes David's heart condition as a lack of "fullness of joy and gladness in Christ...God does not have the supreme place in [his] feelings and thoughts that he should." The antidote for this is closeness to God - in terms of spiritual disciplines of study of God's Word, prayer, worship, etc. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me - thank You Jesus.  You are my all in all!  I am not deserving of such a God...my sin is daily and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I paused my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how our suffering and weakness reveals God's strength and glory.  Paul had his famous "thorn in his flesh" and he pleaded (v8) with God to remove it (see more on Paul's thorn in his flesh), but God let it remain and God told him why He left the thorn in Paul's flesh. God wants us to depend on Him, and it is during hard times and with our "thorns in the flesh" when we depend on Him the most.  We experience and see God's grace when we depend on Him - it becomes evident.  Piper writes that "sometimes he makes seemingly strong people weaker so that the divine power will be the more evident." Piper urges us to be content during "weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities." God, please help me be content during such experiences. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are amazing and Your grace IS sufficient - now and during all times - of course during those times when I am weak.  I have experienced Your grace during such times - thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of such grace.  My sin continues and I often fail to trust and be content during such times.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 17

 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:26

Once again, I pause on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  John Piper's devotion today starts with Piper asking us to "[i]magine being able to enjoy what is most enjoyable with unbounded and increasing energy and passion forever."  This is certainly a worthy endeavor!  Piper then acknowledges how - from an earthly perspective - things get in the way of our joy, including love of the world consumes us more than love of God, our human abilities our limited, things of this world come to an end.  Piper then moves to Jesus' prayer in John 17, where specifically, in John 17:26, Jesus prayers that God's love for Jesus be in believers and Jesus in believers (as the Holy Spirit).  Piper describes God's love for His Son Jesus as totally pleasurable because Jesus is infinitely worthy of love or lovely.  In praying that this love be in us, "then the object of our pleasure, Jesus, will be inexhaustible in personal worth. He will never become boring or disappointing or frustrating. No greater treasure can be conceived than the Son of God. But add to this what Jesus prays for; namely, that our ability — our energy, our passion — to savor this inexhaustible treasure will not be limited by human weaknesses." Amen!  We must acknowledge this treasure that we have and not cease in our praise and gratitude of Jesus.  We must also live lives that demonstrate that we have this incredible treasure and that we share it, bringing others to Jesus.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 Samuel 28, 31, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, and 2 Samuel 1, 4 

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Day 93 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 Saul and Jonathan's death, as well as David's reaction.  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 states the reason for Saul's death.  On the other hand, we have David who is a "man after God's heart" (see 1 Samuel 13:14, and Acts 13:22).

Saul sought affirmation and satisfaction from others.  Instead, God wants us to seek Him out and to gain satisfaction from Him.

This reference includes many verses about how God cares about a heart for Him.

We are all longing for something and too often we seek satisfaction from creation, not the creator. We should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) as ONLY God will satisfy and fill the longing we all have. See John Piper on this.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS filled me...well beyond what I deserve!  Thank You Jesus for satisfying my longing and then some!  I am not deserving of such love.  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 the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. v17-18

James covers several topics in chapter3, including introductory remarks on how teachers are held to a higher standard of behavior than others, and how "the tongue also is a fire...".  Indeed James words and similar scripture have pricked my heart many times during study and I've posted about it here.

In v13-18 James covers envy, selfish ambition and earthly wisdom that "unspiritual" and "demonic".  He writes about how envy and selfish ambition lead to "disorder and every evil practice" (v16).

We need to avoid chasing temptations from the prince of this age and instead chase Jesus Christ.

V17 and the promise in v18 give believers hope so that we don't feel the need to chase the
temptations from the prince of this age.  Scripture gives us so much hope, including gems such as:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS FILLED ME!  Thank You Jesus!  My cup overflows.  I am not deserving for how You have so richly blessed me.  I gossip, worry, and have other sins.  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 godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. v6-8

Paul writes to Timothy warning him of the evil of money (v10).  Paul knows how God alone gives us what we need and we should be content with His provision.   Money is important but it can easily distract us from our need for Jesus and How He provides and provides contentment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen You provide in all circumstances - I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for never failing to provide - for all things.  I am undeserving of such blessings.  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.

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

John 12

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. v9-11

As a follow up post to yesterday where Judas Iscariot objects to using expensive perfume to anoint Jesus, this morning we are reminded of how desperate Satan is to get a hold of us.  MacArthur suggests that, in v11 we see "a conscious, deliberate move away from the religion of the authorities and a move toward genuine faith in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God".  The chief priests would have none of this - hence their plot to kill BOTH Jesus and Lazarus!

According to John Piper, "Satan hates evangelism and discipleship", so it is no surprise that we see the plot to kill Lazarus.  "[M]any of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in [H]im"..."on account of [Lazarus]", and earlier in John 8:44, Jesus accuses those plotting to kill Him of "belonging" to the devil.  Satan was desperate to stop growth of the early church.

Satan is equally desperate to prevent believers from growing in our relationship with Jesus - he plants our minds with lies - go here to learn more from John Piper on Satan's Ten Strategies Against You.  

To protect ourselves, we have the Armor of God, and our belief that true freedom and joy is found in Christ alone. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me true freedom and joy.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sins 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 you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. v2

Jesus is who He says He is and He is the Promised Ruler.  Here we have a prophesy of the coming King Jesus Christ.  These prophecies bring a sense of excitement, something for which we should have great hope.  God wants us to live this way all of the time, with a sense of excitement - that we have something special...and we do....a living God who is with us always and who promises live to the full and eternal life.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. Luke 6:23

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98:4-6

 

My Prayer:  Lord, I know You are the Promised King, the Messiah, the Lord of Lords and My Lord and Savior.  You came to earth to suffer and die for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus - I know I am not worth such love but through Your grace You provide it anyway.  Thank You!  Please forgive me for not demonstrating the joy and fullness of life that You create me for me.  I know You want me to live so that others see You in me.  Please forgive me because I often fall short.  Help me overcome such sin and turn 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.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah 4

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” v4

I MUST remember that God is in control.  

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:17

If I can remember that God is in control - I can have a better appreciation of how God has me where He wants me. If I don't like the circumstances and I am angry or I complain it is because I am angry at God.

In the desert, Moses reminds the Israelites that when they grumbled about no food or water, they were really complaining about God.

Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord. Exodus 16:8

God does not want us to grumble.  He wants us to be at peace so that others see Him in us.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

..instead we are to:
 

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 



My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...and yet I still am often angry and I complain.  Thank You for Your patience for me but please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me not grumble.  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.  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 will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

Amos 9

I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,”

says the Lord your God. v15

The last verse in the book of Amos reveals the hope of Christ - that God rescues us from the sting of sin and death.  While we may not be promised a life of worldly happiness, we are promised joy and peace (Galatians 5:22) in this world and eternity in Heaven with God.  We should be focused on how we are citizens of Heaven and be thankful and content with the life God gives us in this world as it is only temporary while we will have eternity in Heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God who is full of mercy and compassion for me, even though I grumble and complain and I fail to obey.  Thank You for such mercies and compassion but please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  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 from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

His Will Be Done
Haggai 1

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”  v9-11

The prophet Haggai's message from the Lord is quite appropriate for today's devotion because in the book of Haggai, although the Jews are allowed to return to Jerusalem after being in exile in Babylon, they fail to focus on God's glory and He who rescued them, and instead focus on their own desires. Of course if we fail to focus on the glory of God, He knows how to get our attention! 

See also posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are...full of compassion, mercy, patience, etc. for me...yet I am wholly undeserving!  I lack patience for others...please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You - this is why exist!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. v21

Anger is another form of complaining, which is of course a sin (see here, 1 Cor 10:10, Phil 2:14-15).  I am to be content and as James puts it, "humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have me right where You want me and I know You are doing great things in my life and You have already done great things in my life!  Hallelujah!  What a great God You are.  I have been blessed well beyond what I deserve...thank You Jesus!  I do thank You, and I desperately need You in my life to continue to work in my life...and also for forgiveness.  I am way too quick to anger and impatient (although You are a patient with me).  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please help me humbly accent my circumstances as Your will.  Help me be content with You and Your word because that is all that I need!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength and freedom from pain and discomfort.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. v2-3

I read a post this morning that it is believed based on the use of imperative verbs that James is the "bossiest book in the bible".  Kinda interesting....in these two early verses of James I am reminded how I am to consider it pure joy during this current trial with Lisa where she is going through cancer treatment...not easy but when I think about it, James is saying "consider" and when you look up the definition of consider here, the implication is that we are to keep in top of mind during our trial that God is doing this for our good and His glory and that we should be honored.  We are in fact His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, everything You do is perfect - Your will, designs, plans, works, everything!  What our family is experiencing right now is according to Your plan...I know..even though it is indeed a trial.  You have seen us through trials previously and You will with this one as well.  You are great!  Thank You for Your love, protection, encouragement, etc.  I am not worth such blessings.  I am selfish, angry, lazy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me consider this and all of my trials as pure joy.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.