The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:1-11, 3:14-16 

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

I pause my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon - to review 1 Timothy 1:1-11, 3:14-16 as this is our text for Sunday school class tomorrow morning.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: 1:1: God commands us in our roles, and in Paul's case to be an apostle. 1:2: Grace, mercy and peace are from God.  From John 1:1, we know that God is the Word, so by extension, 1:9 implies that the law is for everyone - not just the just but for sinners - because we all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8). 3:16: Faith in God is full of mystery - we rely on Him to reveal what it is He seeks for us to know about Him.  We also don't know how He works but that He is always at work (Isaiah 55:8, Romans 8:28). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: 1:3-7: Many desire to be teachers of the law (God's Word), yet they teach false doctrine by "promoting speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is faith."  1:4, 11: Believers are stewards of God's Word - we are to guard the Truth carefully by having a very good understanding (1:7) of the Word through study and revelation from God.  3:14: If you are teacher of the Word, you should be encouraged by Paul's words of guidance to stand on truth. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid swerving from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith.  Claim the promise that God is always at work for good. Follow the example of Paul who sought to be a good steward of God's Word.  Abide in Him to seek and maintain a "pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who gives me the Word and reveals Himself to me so that I can maintain "a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." You also give me salvation, and mercies that never cease - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings nor how You love and 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.

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed[.]

Zechariah 11:15-17

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed[.] Zechariah 11:16a

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 11:15-17, which the commentary outlines as the fourth 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 God asked Zechariah to portray a good shepherd in the previous division (see post yesterday), but in this division is asked to portray a "foolish, evil and worthless shepherd."  It prophecies how although Jesus arrives and fulfills prophecy as the Promised King, He is not recognized as such by the Jewish elders and leaders.  These shepherds (and false teachers) do not save as Jesus does but instead "take advantage of people and harm them mercilessly."  The commentary shares how many conservative scholars "say that the ultimate expression of the foolish shepherd is the Antichrist of the end times, who will deceive and abuse not only Israel but the entire world (Revelation 13:7)."  Believers must be constantly reminded of how this Antichrist is real and he is on the prowl looking to devour those who are lost - see 1 Peter 5:8. Once again, as the commentary emphasizes yesterday, we are encouraged to follow the only Shepherd that truly leads and saves - Jesus Christ.  We must also follow the words of Jude who exhort believers to "have mercy on those who doubt...snatching them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are the Good Shepherd - as You seek and save the lost, and You care for them.  Thank You Jesus for saving me as I was lost - and You care for me and I know I can never be separated from Your love.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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 an unassisted 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). Building on my last two posts yesterday and the day before, Zechariah provides God's people with warnings about leaders who worship false gods and preach false teachings.  Of course, all sin and remain in bondage to this sin now and for eternity (in Hell) unless saved - and of course the Good News of Jesus saves!  False gods and teaching are pervasive and we are warned throughout scripture - 1 Peter 5:8 where we are warned us that Satan is simply waiting on us for an opportunity to pounce - and believers are encouraged to remain alert. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 warns us about false teachers. Believers we are encouraged to remain in Jesus - see John 15:1-11. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives me all that I need - the whole armor of God - to protect myself against Satan and false teachers/gods.  Thank You Jesus for being my strength, refuge, and rock.  I am not deserving of how You save, love, and protect.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me remain in You.  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.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:1-4

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:1-4

I continue my preparation for leading Sunday school at my church tomorrow, where our class will be looking at 1 John 5:1-4.  This morning I look back over my posts for the past several day where I have leaned on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video for this text and the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for 1-3 John.  My discussion guide is here.  Key excerpts:

• Concerned about false teachers and how they undermine the church, John seeks to help believers understand the marks of an authentic believer, including the right belief (who is Jesus)/doctrinal mark, right love/moral mark, and the right behavior/ethical or social mark.
• By implication, we must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised Deliverer, the Great High Priest, the Prophet (who is the Truth); we must also see Jesus as King of Kings and love Him in such a way that we love what He loves and hate what He hates.
• Finally, we must treasure God so much that the world is exposed as unsatisfying vs God.

Know and love God, and love others, and experience joyful obedience!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of all my worship and all the glory!  Thank You for the mercy You pour out for me every morning and how it never ceases!  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.

And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice—“I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all who array themselves in foreign attire.

Zephaniah 1:8-11

And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice—“I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all who array themselves in foreign attire. Zephaniah 1:8

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my study focus is a commentary-assisted review of the third division per my commentary: 1:8-11. Excerpts from the commentary:

• In vv8-11, God outlines his anger at not just the current king but the long line of kings in Judah who sinned in the eyes of the Lord.  This includes the sins as outlined in vv4-6 such as idolatry and turning away from God.  In v9 the text describes those who "leap over the threshold" committing "violence and fraud" in God's house.
• "Verses 10 and 11, however, continue to see the spiral move downward and expand to include all the residents of the city. A resident of Judah might well have expected to see God’s judgment and anger extended to their enemies, but to see it extended to those who were the children of God would have been shocking and difficult to reconcile."
• "[T]hose who were part of Judah were learning that there is a high accountability for those who claim the name of God and do not reflect Him in their lives. The prophet wants them to be aware that to embrace God’s name and reject God’s character is to defame the name of God. To claim to follow Him and then misrepresent Him in behavior was a travesty that must be rectified."
• We are warned not to break the third commandment (see Exodus 20:7) where we are not to misuse the name of God.  This is seen as promoting false gospel.  Instead we are urged to find out fulfillment first and foremost in God so that we don't pursue other gods and misuse God for our own will and purpose.
• Zephaniah urges not just the king's court to repent and seek God, but all of Jerusalem, and by extension any reader of this text.  The sin on display in the text is on display throughout redemptive history, including today, where we live in a broken and sinful world.     

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are so full of grace and compassion as You came to save me and love while still hostile and an enemy of You.  Thank You for making me one of Your elect.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor the mercies You pour out every day 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 heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead 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 in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "The resurrection of Jesus was not a one-off event; it guarantees our resurrection as well, and much more!"

Key excerpts from the introduction: "There was obviously some misunderstanding and misconception in Corinth both about the necessity of a general resurrection and about the quality of any resurrected body. Up to this point in the chapter, Paul has corrected the faulty supposition that one can believe in the resurrection of the Savior but not the resurrection of the saints. He argued that if there is no general resurrection, then one can not possibly believe in a particular resurrection. He showed the devastating consequences of a non-resurrected Jesus. Thankfully, here Paul quickly pivots from the gloom and doom of a purely hypothetical situation to the joyful actuality that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. His resurrection is actually a guarantee of our resurrection."

Divisions per the commentary: 

1. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Certainty of Future Resurrection (15:20-22): "[S]ince there is an implication that none of these Corinthian believers deny the resurrection of Jesus, they must accept the corollary truth, which is that his resurrection guarantees their resurrection.  This is a great word of comfort to these Corinthian believers, who had seen many loved ones precede them in death. Jesus is the firstfruits of those who have died."
   
2. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Priority of Future Resurrection (15:23): "There is an interval between the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of believers in part because the resurrection of believers takes place at the second coming of Jesus. The resurrected Lord will descend, and at that time those who belong to Christ will also be raised and given their new resurrection bodies."
   
3. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Finality of Future Resurrection (15:24-26): "Though scholars debate what the phrase “the end” refers to, one should not overthink it. Simply understand that this refers to the “end of this age or world-order to be followed by the age to come” (Bruce, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 146). This is “when [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all [other] rule and all authority and power” (v. 24). To that, Schreiner would add, “This almost certainly refers to demonic powers” (1 Corinthians, 314). Demonic powers will not merely be subjugated; they will be annihilated. Make no mistake."
   
4. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Totality of Future Resurrection (15:27-28): "Perhaps Bruce puts it best and most succinctly: “The kingdom of Christ comes to an end in its present phase, but only to merge in the eternal Kingdom of God, so there is no failure of the prophetic promise that the Messiah’s kingdom will know no end[.]"
   
5. Jesus’s Resurrection Guarantees the Reality of Future Resurrection (15:29-34): "There is no greater truth than the truth that, because Jesus was raised from the dead, so shall we be." 
   

Comment and discuss this text.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me salvation and eternal life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all 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 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 in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:20-34. Today's text builds on yesterday's where Paul was rhetorically examining the question many believed was true in the Corinthian church, which is that while a spiritual resurrection may occur upon death, physical resurrection was not possible.  Of course, as Paul digs deeper into this question, he comes the correct conclusion, which is if you falsely believe in the fallacy of Jesus's physical resurrection, than you have no faith at all because the gospel rests on Jesus' resurrection.  However, in v20 Paul directly responds with an emphatic statement Christ "has been raised from the dead." Paul then compares Jesus to Adam in the garden from Genesis, writing how through this Adam, and his original sin, we all die (both spiritually and physically), and through Jesus - the 2nd Adam - we have both spiritual and physical resurrection.  Paul then goes on to share how the risen Christ ultimately, during the final days, defeats sin and death forever so that it no longer has any power over anyone.  Paul concludes the text in v29-34 by continuing to logically dismiss those in Corinth who fail to believe in the physical resurrection - pointing to how people are baptized in the name of Jesus and how this is new birth that is eternal.  Paul's final words in the text today offer an admonishment to those who do not believe in Jesus' resurrection - there is no faith and no salvation for these people. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died and rose again to defeat both sin and death - giving me life to the full now, with power over sin, and life for eternity.  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.  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 rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

Titus 1

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. Titus 1:13-14

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 4, the focus is Titus 1 and a review of this text assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.  The first chapter of the commentary explores Titus 1:10-16.

From the commentary:

• Main idea: "For the church to be sound in the faith, its leaders must confront false teaching and false teachers."
  
• Excerpt from the introduction: "The Bible is filled with concern about false teaching and its danger to the people of God. Limiting our survey to the New Testament, we find strong words and warnings from Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, and Jude."  This includes Matthew 7:15, Mark 13:22-23, Acts 20:29-30, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 2:18-23, 4:1-3, 2 John 7, Jude 3-4, and 17-19. God's call to our ministry of reconciliation, includes not just peace, but also rebuke and confrontation when necessary - and the latter is appropriate for false teachers and those who are deceptive with the Word. 
  

Divisions from the commentary:

1. We Must Confront Those Who Are Divisive (1:10-11): It is noted that there were many false teachers in Crete.  Characteristics of such divisiveness included "empty talkers" with no substance, those seeking "shameful gain," and deceivers who promoted a "Jesus plus theology," and a "[hu]man-centered message."
   
2. We Must Confront Those Who Are Deceived (1:12-14): Here, those are fall prey to false teaching must be confronted for what they believe. Paul refers to Epimenides in v12 in a description of the Cretan false teachers. 
   
3. We Must Confront Those Who Are Defiled (1:15-16): We are urged to see fruit in others as a litmus test whether they are truly abiding in Jesus and the Word - or if they are idolators who are defiled and lack purity, denying Jesus not just with their words but also denying Jesus works that are motivated by purity of heart.
   

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. I am not deserving of such grace and compassion - 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.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:7-14, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines four divisions for this text:

I. Remember Your Leaders: Here, the commentary surmises that the use of "remember" vs "honor, respect or greet" is used likely due to how many leaders likely were martyred at the time Hebrews was written; it also emphasizes how discipleship is not just learning from the teaching of leaders but also from their practices in their daily living.

II. Remember Your Savior: We also encouraged to see - in v8 - how Jesus does not change.  We are referred to Malachi 3:6, one of many scripture references that make this point.  The commentary shares: "[w]e can rest in the absolute confidence that he will never change."

III. Do Not Be Led Astray: V8 provides a foundational truth for us to avoid being led astray by either clinging to Old Testament external practices (i.e. with foods) that no longer apply for readers of Hebrews, or to fashionable trends that seek to change our faith to suit the times. 

IV. Go Outside the Camp: Here, the commentary describes how the text uses the Old Testament practice of burning sacrificed food outside the camp, and how that directs us to follow Jesus as He was sacrificed outside Jerusalem.  It shares: "[f]ollowing Jesus means joining him outside the camp. The writer’s people were tempted to find their identity in Judaism and the old covenant."  The commentary wraps by pointing to the last verse of today's text - v14 - and how "we anticipate an everlasting city. Our hope is not in the fading city of man, it’s in the enduring city of God. We wait for an eschatological city, the heavenly Jerusalem."

Comment and discuss this this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are worthy of worship and imitation - You are spotless, and full of grace and compassion for how You offer the only path to forgiveness and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless as You do.  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.

Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.

Isaiah 42-44

Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people.  Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Isaiah 44:7

I continue with my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I wrap Lesson 16 by addressing the questions posed on lesson Day 5, where the focus is Isaiah 44. My commentary outlines the following divisions in this chapter:

1. God promises to pour out his Spirit and create His children (Isaiah 44:1-5)
2. God alone can explain the past and predict the future (44:6-8)
3. God ridicules idol makers (44:9-20)
4. God has swept away our sins like a mist, so rejoice (44:21-23)
5. God raises up Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem (44:24-28)

We must see the stark contrast between God and the false gods called out in this chapter.  While we can stand on God's promises as He is faithful, we, at the same time, must acknowledge how the false gods we often chase fall short of the One True God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and NONE can compare to You.  You are my Lord and Savior and saved me - while I was still hostile and an enemy to You...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin continues and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such a sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’”

Jeremiah 24, 29, 27-28

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’” Jeremiah 28:15-16

Day 221 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* focuses on the danger of false prophets and Jeremiah's response: "Jeremiah’s chief concern during the early part of Zedekiah’s reign is the number of false prophets who are still saying that all is well, and that Babylonia will be broken instead of Judah. Perhaps because of the persecution he faces as a true prophet of God, Jeremiah unleashes a blistering attack against those who are masquerading as God’s prophets, even among the captives in Babylonia. Jeremiah is forced to write to the people in exile and tell them to settle in for the duration, which will be 70 years."

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

While today's scripture includes some of the most quoted words in the Bible (Jeremiah 29) - and we should all be encouraged by these words - in a broader historical context it is also important to understand (God's Word delivered through Jeremiah) Jeremiah's harsh words for false prophets. In terms of God's Word, we must be able to discern truth. My verses that I highlight today are just two examples from my reading today where (God) Jeremiah harshly rebukes several false prophets. 

We must STUDY the Bible, use trustworthy commentary, and find worthy brothers and sisters in Christ who can sharpen us.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me Your Word and it is You, and it is alive and active in me - thank You Jesus! Yet I know You are not done with me and my sin continues...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my many sins (gossip, etc.) 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 you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v20-23

Jude (half-brother of Jesus), writes primarily to warn us about false/apostate teachers. Such false/apostate teachers exist in the church today (and seem to be growing in influence) so it is highly relevant that we can identify such teachers - we must prevent the spread of their teaching both in our own life and in the church-at-large.

Based on Jude's letter, John MacArthur provides us guidance about how to identify such teachers - giving us a list of characteristics or a "Profile of an Apostate"*:

1. Ungodly (v. 4) 
2. Morally perverted (v. 4) 
3. Deny Christ (v. 4) 
4. Defile the flesh (v. 8) 
5. Rebellious (v. 8) 
6. Revile holy angels (v. 8) 
7. Dreamers (v. 10) 
8. Ignorant (v. 10) 
9. Corrupted (v. 10) 
10. Grumblers (v. 16) 
11. Fault-finders (v. 16) 
12. Self-seeking (v. 16) 
13. Arrogant speakers (v. 16) 
14. Flatterers (v. 16) 
15. Mockers (v. 18) 
16. Cause division (v. 19) 
17. Worldly minded (v. 19) 
18. Without the Spirit (v. 19)

*The MacArthur Study Bible, by John MacArthur (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997) 1987. © 1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64614-64633). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

As Jude closes his letter, he not not only encourages us to build up our faith, to be patient for the Lord's return, and to full of grace and mercy for everyone; on this latter encouragement, even the false/apostate teachers are deserving of God's grace and mercy if we can find ways to reach them and if they reject their false/apostate teachings and return to Truth.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with incredible grace and mercy.  I am grateful.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...worry, 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.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. v8-10

Both the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) and OverviewBible.com indicate the purpose of 1 John as one where John seeks to ground believers in the early church in who Jesus is and what it means to be a child of God. Much like other books of the Bible that strive to do so, 1 John attempts to ensure that believers are aware of the threat of false teachers.

False teachers, for lack of better words, attempt to redirect our motives and actions towards false gods and idols.

We "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and Jesus is the ONLY one who saves.  There is NO OTHER true God as Jesus is the King of Kings.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who saves me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of salvation and for the love and blessings You pour out for me.  I worry...and I 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.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

2 Peter 1

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. v5-9

Both the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) and the Summaries of Every Book in Bible indicate that this general epistle written by Peter is primarily to help believers avoid damage to their faith (and the church) by falling prey to false teachers and teachings.  This last letter by Peter to the church seeks to push the church and believers to grow stronger and by wary of weakening influences.

Peter warns of how we can become "ineffective and unproductive in [our] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v8).

The words "add" and 'increasing measure" are key here as growth and spiritual maturity are, in John Piper's words, "not optional".  Piper uses Peter's own words from his first letter.

We must grow in Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me grow in Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You have blessed me.  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.

Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

1 Timothy 6

Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. v20-21

In his final charge of this first letter to Timothy, Paul once again returns to the theme of false teachings and teachers. The world would like us to pursue all kinds of ideas but Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge and anyone or anything that denies this as such and denies Christ as their Lord and Savior is destined for eternal damnation.  Similarly, those who follow the "godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge" are also destined for destruction.  

We must "be alert and of sober mind" as Satan and his minions can easily lead us astray.  Key is what earthly influences we place around us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects me from harm.  Thank You Jesus for placing Godly influences in my life and for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I know also that You will never leave or forsake me.  I am grateful.  Yet I know 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.

[Satan] will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.

2 Thessalonians 2

[Satan] will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. v9-10

Paul seeks to point the Thessalonians to Jesus, as they have been led astray by false teachers claiming that Christ has already returned (rapture).  This is what Satan does - he leads people astray!  Believers must be sober and alert!

Non-believers must repent and believe for the remainder of v10-12 contains a stark warning for those who do not believe.

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. v10-12

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God because You came to save me and others who believe!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I often put myself first above God and above others.  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.

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. v9

Paul continues to warn the Galatians of false teaching and idols.  Just as Jesus uses parables, Paul uses the leavening power of yeast as an analogy to warn us of the negative influence of allowing even the slightest of false teaching and idols into our lives. The MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates scripture's use of this analogy elsewhere including Matthew 16:6, 12,  Mark 8:15, and 1 Corinthians 5:6.

While we are "in" this world we must remind ourselves that we are not to be "of" this world and not to "conform" to the patterns of this world (see also Romans 12:2). We must remain connected with those who strengthen our ties to Christ as the One and Only True God and Gospel.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am so grateful for the protection You provide through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank You Jesus for helping me build a strong foundation - On You!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. v14-15

On the heels of Paul's reminder that we are fighting with God on our side and that the weapons we fight are not just different than those of the world but the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, we must remember WHO we are fighting and there IS a battle.  There is sin, temptation, idols, and false teachers - we must remember.

Paul reminds us how Satan works - he "masquerades as a servant of righteousness" and Piper writes that " [i]n his sovereignty, God considered it wise, as part of his curse on the world after the fall of Adam and Eve, to give Satan a huge power in this world."

For more, John Piper penned this article that provides background on the "Fall of Satan and the Victory of Christ".

Satan may be real but we have God on our side:

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:9-15

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who - while You have allowed Satan to have some power - has dominion and authority over all and who defeats Satan and sin for all believers - thank You Jesus for giving me freedom over sin, eternal life - and abundant life!  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving I know.  My sin is great.  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.

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.

Ezekiel 13

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. v6

It is important that our actions and our words are consistent with God's word and His will for our lives.  We must KNOW God's Word and spend time with God to build a relationship with Him, and through this we can be transformed to better know His will for our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

However, there are many in this world who misuse God's name claiming God speaks certain words when He does not.

We are to beware of such false prophets in this world and surround ourselves with others who can help us strengthen our relationship with Jesus to help us better understand His Word and will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me greater faith and others to strengthen my faith.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I often 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 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 that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

Deuteronomy 12

See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. v32

The greatest commandment is to love the Lord Your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22).  God provides for other commands as well and how we live in relationship to God, others, and the church is clearly laid out among scripture.

Moses communicates to the Israelites that they are to be careful to worship the one true God in ways that others worship false gods.  Yahweh is a jealous God and we must out of respect fear His wrath.

See also posts here.

Lord Jesus, please help me worship You as You intend - with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and to not add to or subtract how You desire for me to be in relationship with You, others, and the church.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  I am lazy.  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. 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.