Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Zechariah 11:1-3

Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined! Zechariah 11:1-3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 11:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text 10:1-11:17 (10:1-12, 11:1-3, 11:4-14, 11:15-17).  The commentary shares how this text offers prophecy of what will occur to Jerusalem when Jesus arrives, as He is rejected by the Jewish elders and leaders.  The commentary shares: "There is strong reason to think that this is prophecy of what happened in AD 70, as the Roman army, under the leadership of General Titus, came into Jerusalem and completely leveled that city. Titus’s armies even tore down the temple, until one stone was not left standing on top of the other."  The problem described by the commentary is that when Jesus arrives and His ministry unfolds, He is rejected for who He is - the cornerstone or promised Messiah.  The Jewish elders and leaders sought an earthly leader and we all know that all earthly leaders are fallen and sinful - only Jesus is the perfect spotless lamb who can shepherd and save us.  We should not place faith in earthly leaders to do what only Jesus can do.  The text describes wailing over the destruction of Jerusalem and today there is much wailing over what exists in our broken sinful world - yet this will always be the case until Jesus returns for His second coming and as described in Revelation 21 when there will be a new Heaven and new earth.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Father God, only You save and You are saving a place for me and all believers where we will be united with all our loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ who believe - what a glorious place this will be!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  Of course I am undeserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 13-16, and 5:8-9

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. Ecclesiastes 5:8

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an commentary assisted review of Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 13-16, and 5:8-9, which covers the third division of the commentary chapter titled Politics and Justice Are Meaningless without Jesus - the third division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Politics is Meaningless.  Here, the commentary reinforces my post from yesterday, and provides insights by sharing: "politics in this fallen world is meaningless....You cannot end oppression altogether....Certainly we should work for justice. We should engage in mercy ministry. This is near God’s heart and talked about repeatedly throughout the Bible, especially in the wisdom literature. But without Christ, it will not be completely changed....There is no lasting change in the political realm....Cronyism is the inevitable result of politics. If you scratch my back, I will scratch yours....There is injustice in the world, so people are given authority to restrain evil and uphold good. The problem is that power corrupts, so those in authority often use their power for their own good and not the good of the citizens. As a result, we now completely distrust and reject authority. The way Christian people talk about the president and politicians on Facebook is absolutely sickening. The Bible commands us to pray for our leaders—believe me, you do not want to be in their position making the calls they have to make—but instead we tear them down. There is a definite tension here because absolute power corrupts, but we need authority for our own good."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who cares about us and gives us earthly authority that does much good for us - thank You Jesus! I am undeserving of such love and care...and certainly undeserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 13-16, and 5:8-9

If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. Ecclesiastes 5:8

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, 13-16, and 5:8-9, which covers the third division of the commentary chapter titled Politics and Justice Are Meaningless without Jesus. In today's text, Solomon reflects on the futility of faith in politics and government - where competing factions constantly seek advantage over the others to gain power and influence outcomes in their favor, sometimes for personal gain.  The futility of this faith is that government is comprised of people and we know that all of humanity sins and falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) so any institution comprised by people is by definition marred by sin.  Believers should submit to authorities placed over us by God (as He is in control), but we should of course not make idols of such authorities above faith in God. Solomon points out how this futility often plays out as one corrupt official is often being monitored by another corrupt official, etc. Place your faith in the King of Kings Jesus Christ!

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

Isaiah 2

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 5 of my study, the key takeaway comes from Isaiah 2:22, where God seeks for us to focus on Him first and foremost (vs man). Of course, man can be defined in terms of ourselves as well as others. Selfishness is a key sin as is the desire to be approved by others.  We should seek to please, honor and glorify God - for that is why we exist. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of my focus and my energy - You are good!  Your blessings and mercies are new every morning and You provide for all of my needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues - including focus on self vs God.  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.

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

Daniel 10-12

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel 12:13

Day 267 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 my commentary moves back to the book of Daniel where my commentary* describes "Daniel's last vision" from God. The vision includes battles among Israel's neighboring countries and kings who's power comes and goes over the next four centuries.  Daniel's vision closes with a promise made to Daniel that "after his death he will rise again to receive his reward".

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

Daniel's vision emphasizes how we should not place our hope in man or on any aspect of our earthly reality.  All of our earthly reality will come and go and should not serve as our firm foundation of faith. Daniel's own hope and faith rested in God...even to the point of death where God saved him in the lion's den.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my firm foundation and in You I place my hope and faith.  All comes from You and You provide and will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin continues - worry, harsh words or actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 Jeremiah 3-5

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Day 206 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 my study of Jeremiah.  While yesterday my focus on how God equips those He calls to serve, this morning my focus is God's message to Judah through Jeremiah. According to the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), Judah's "spiritual condition...was one of flagrant idol worship....as [r]eligious insincerity, dishonesty, adultery, injustice, tyranny against the helpless, and slander prevailed as the norm, not the exception". While my commentary* details Judah's sin, the sin of Judah's religious leaders and false prophets stands out as the people of Judah were led to sin...highlighting how people let us down. 

[Jeremiah] thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds. Jeremiah 5:4-5

[Judah's false prophets] have lied about the Lord; they said, “He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine. The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them.” Jeremiah 5:12-13

We must have discernment about who leads us in our communities, churches, etc. We must also understand the limits of people. Only Jesus can serve as our King and High Priest!  He is the leader we all need.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who came to us as a lowly child, lived a perfect life, yet willingly laid down Your life so that we could reconciliation with God, and freedom from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all....[D]o not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.... I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.

Isaiah 7-9

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all....[D]o not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.... I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Isaiah 7:9, 8:12-13, 8:17

Day 179 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 I return to the prophecies of Isaiah. This morning's reading begins with an alliance between Syria and Israel against Judah but my commentary* describes God as "ready to defend Judah despite her wickedness...." My commentary* also describes that while Isaiah is clearly delivering a message of an "impending" invasion by Assyria and of the captivity of both Syria and Israel, "[l]aced throughout that narrative, however, are messianic prophecies".   

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

Key highlights from this mornings readings:

Say to [Ahaz, king of Judah], ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘It will not take place, it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’” Isaiah 7:4-9

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right,  Isaiah 7:13-15

[D]o not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. Isaiah 8:12-13

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Isaiah 8:17 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

God's words regarding how we are to trust in the Lord most of all strike a chord this morning - echoing posts from the past two days.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me the gift of salvation - thank You Jesus!  I can trust in You more than anything or anyone.  I am not deserving of Your love and salvation.  I 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. 

 

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Micah 6-7

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression f the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago. Micah 7:18-20

  

Day 177 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 with a study of the prophecies of Micah.  MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates that Micah's focus was on "the disintegration of personal and social values to which he delivered his most stinging rebukes and stern warnings (see Micah 7:5-6). Assyria was the dominant power and a constant threat to Judah, so Micah's prediction that Babylon, then under Assyrian rule, would conquer Judah (see Micah 4:10) seemed remote.  Thus, as the prophet Amos was to Israel, Micah was to Judah."  There was some confusion on my part over the past two days as to Micah's audience, as OverviewBible.com indicates both Israel and Judah as does this commentary (which I have not used other than finding via Internet search; although the commentary does say Judah is the primary audience).  Generally speaking, I lean towards John MacArthur as the most respected of commentary sources I use. 

Today's reading from my current chronological Bible study commentary* includes "God's charge against Israel", what God seeks from Judah (not empty rituals but to truly walk with Him; Micah 6:7-8), "Judah's sin and punishment", and Judah's misery resulting from its sin. Micah's prophecies of Babylon's impending invasion of Judah and its ultimate deliverance are also a focus.  Micah's words echo prophecies by other Biblical prophets and authors - see here for similar messages.

Micah exhorts us to love God over all other relationships we may have as people will let us down but God never will - only God can save:

Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:5-7 

Indeed, in Jesus, we have a God who loves only as He can:

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression f the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago. Micah 7:18-20 

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a God worthy of my undivided attention as You love me beyond what I deserve and You have saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and Your gift of salvation. I continue to 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.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” v27-31

Moving from unity (focus of recent posts), we find Paul addressing division in the church at Corinth.  Paul founded the church in Corinth and spent a considerable amount of time there (see OverviewBible.com and Acts 18), and his first letter to Corinth includes a reprimand of the church over its division, and an encouragement to focus on what matters.  Paul starts by admonishing those who over-emphasize church leaders (v10-17) and wisdom of human beings vs that of God.  We value wisdom but we must recognize the source and purpose of wisdom - it's not about us as we exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve with Your wisdom and a heart to grow closer to You - yet I am undeserving of such blessings and often sin (worry, gossip, etc.) and this separates me from You.  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.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. v39-40

As a follow up to yesterday's post we have yet another illustration that we are to avoid seeking approval of others vs Jesus.  Today's illustration comes from Acts 15 where Paul and Barnabas had a "sharp disagreement" and John Piper uses this text as an example where the earthly elements of our faith - people, relationships, community, church, etc. - lead us to take our eyes off of faith itself because we focus too much on these elements vs focus on Jesus.

In community itself, Piper offers great words of wisdom - with focus on keeping Jesus central and on bearing with another and offering forgiveness and grace.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me AND who has provided community for me that has blessed me and strengthened my faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of 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 for me today and every day.

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

John 12

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God. v42-43

The remainder of John 12 (v12-50) covers Jesus' entrance to Jerusalem during the Passover festival (v12-20).  Jesus addresses the crowd (Greeks and others) and tells them that the hour is soon for Him to die and be glorified, and He encourages them to find life in Him vs in others and the world (v23-25).  Jesus calls out to God and God responds (v27-29).  Jesus also encourages the crowd to focus on what He is saying about the Kingdom of Heaven, the light, etc. vs Satan/this world (v30-36).  

We then come upon v37-50 where Jesus addresses the lack of faith among some of the Jews with v42-43 underscoring where many of us fall down in our faith - it is out of fear of what others may say about us.  Research shows (see Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) that "belongingness and love needs" are important for our survival - yet believers also should recognize that people CANNOT substitute a relationship for God.  God must come first!  Jesus will fill our hearts in ways that people cannot.

Jesus is living water and our daily bread.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is living water and daily bread - I cannot survive without You.  Thank You Jesus for adopting me into Your family, for saving me, and for providing for me.  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry and I gossip.  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.

See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered.

Ezekiel 34

See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. v20-22

As part of God's message of Israel's restoration, God delivers a message to the Jewish leaders (see The MacArthur Bible Commentary), including kings, high priests, elders, teachers, etc. most of whom have sought personal gain over leadership of the flock.  In my post yesterday, we read of how God indicates that He will fulfill His promise to David regarding a king (Jesus) who will reign forever.  As an extension of yesterday's post, today I am reminded of several themes, including how we often look to others (friends, family members, politicians, managers/co-workers, etc.) to help us.  These people CAN help us, but we must remember that they are in this position due to God's sovereignty and we should rely on God above all as He will never let us down and He is in control.  Second, I am reminded how we are to remain humble and that God desires us to be last vs first in the sense that God and His desires are more important than our own and we are also to serve others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who left the right hand of the Father to die for me, to serve others and to provide both a full life here on earth but also an eternal life in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love-I worry.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

Psalm 12

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. v6

People do let us down - they make promises they don't keep.  That is why we see in scriptures that our faith should rest in Jesus Christ alone, and not in people, for God's keeps His promises.  God is also always available for us as He never leaves or forsakes us.

Yet we chase what the world offers - I know I am guilty of this as well.

I must remind myself - daily of how God is worth more to me than what the world offers.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:7-9

Many of the fruits of the spirit, which I have experienced in greater quantity as I have grown closer to Christ - I would not trade for anything the world can offer. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who offers freedom, life, and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus for raising me from the dead for I was dead in my sin.  Thank You.  I am not worth such love and blessings as You provide.  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 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.

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Proverbs 28

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. v26

I am confident of many things and often my confidence rests in myself and this leads to arrogance and hubris. Yet our confidence must rest in God alone for without Him we can do nothing:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, mercies, etc. for me.  I recognize this morning that apart from You I can do nothing.  You created me and You call me to live for You and others.  Yet I often don't.  Thank You for how You bless me beyond what I deserve but I need Your mercies. Please forgive me for falling short of Your desire for me - I am lazy, impatient, arrogant, and worried about the world.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Give myself and Lisa wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me lead and serve my family, You, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Psalm 27

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. v10

This is a tough one....there have been many times in my life where I would not have been able to persevere without others - family members, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. Yet, above all, it is faith in Christ to provide for all needs that helps me persevere.  See recent post here.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:10

Key from the above verse is not just how everything comes from God, but that God can be counted on like no other.  We should have our faith in God, and not in people.  We cannot idolize people.  People change and cannot be counted on to the extent that God can be counted on.

See also post here from Psalm 146.

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.  When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Psalm 146:3-4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and grace for me - even though I am not deserving.  You are my rock and You always provide - You can ALWAYS be counted on.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet again, I know I am undeserving of such a God.  Yesterday, I lashed out in anger to my family and used harsh and coarse words - please forgive me Jesus 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 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.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.