When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.

Numbers 5:5-10

When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. Numbers 5:6-7

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 5:5-10, the Lord spoke to Moses and gave him commands to give to the people for confession of sin and restitution.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?:  God seeks confession - this is something consistent across all of scripture - Old and New Testament.  When we confess, we acknowledge that we are sinful and that we need forgiveness as a means to be reconciled with God.  We also need reconciliation with those whom we impact with our sin - restitution should be considered part of this reconciliation process.  This post from Ligonier Ministries shares that "[t]his aspect of restitution is important because it shows how repentance and conversion always produce tangible results," that such an act (restitution) is the fruit of faith, and "[w]henever possible, restitution follows repentance."      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: All sin and are in need of a Savior - this was apparent in the Old Testament and it remains in the New Testament (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  Also, sin impacts not just our relationship with God but also our relationship with others as people feel betrayed, wronged, etc. and forgiveness and restitution serves to restore these relationships.  On the flip side, we must forgive others who sin against us.  In particular, unity within the church is key so we are called to bear with one another in love (Colossians 3:13).   
• 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 arrogance and a hardened heart where we don't see the need for forgiveness.  Claim the promise that forgiveness is available to all through Christ. Follow the example of Paul who in humility saw righteousness through Jesus being of more worth than any righteousness through deeds or action - see Isaiah 64:6, Philippians 3:8-9. Confess and repent sin - make things right to be reconciled both with God and others.  

Comment and discuss this post

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

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.”

Zechariah 3:1-10

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:8-10

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 3:8-10, which the commentary outlines as the sixth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  These verses of course offer a clear messianic prophecy - that God "will bring my servant the Branch."  Branch is then capitalized, indicating that this is a specific, named, and significant branch.  God's message will be engraved on a single stone with seven eyes, and this number in scripture is often referred to as perfection, rest, abundance - all attributes of Jesus.  This Branch will "remove the iniquity of this land" and God's people will - through the Great Commission - "invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree." See also John 15 where Jesus is referred to as the True Vine.  Thank You God for sending Your Son to seek and save the lost!  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to save me!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation!  I am not deserving of such a gift and the blessings that come with this gift.  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 the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Zechariah 3:2

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 3:2, which the commentary outlines as the second of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  The commentary aptly provides the theme for how it sees the text: God Wants Us to Feel Sorrowful When We Are Guilty.  First the commentary shares that "God’s sovereign ability to reprimand Satan in this manner is a reminder that the Lord and Satan are by no means equal forces in the universe. As powerful as Satan’s tactics against God and God’s people can be, he is no match for the Lord. Accordingly, when Yahweh rebukes Satan, the enemy becomes silent. The commentary then shares how the fire at the end of v2 describes the opposition, oppression, and exile/captivity of God's people.  At the same time, we are exhorted to see how such trials are designed to shape us into more of God's image: "God’s Word commands us, “Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (see Hebrews 12:6-7). God wants His children to feel grief and sorrow over our sin because grief and sorrow over sin are the ways that God brings us back to Him" (see also 2 Corinthians 7:10).  Satan wants us to see the shame and guilt of our sin with no hope.  God, instead, provided His Son Jesus Christ as a way out to have forgiveness and victory over sin and death.  The commentary concludes with: "God loves believers so much that He won’t allow us to sin and feel good about it. However, unlike the way Satan attacks us with guilt, God’s kind of guilt will never lead us to hopelessness and despair. Instead, He will allow His people to experience godly sorrow over their sin so that they will return to Him. He’s always ready for us to return to Him so that we can be forgiven." Amen!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives us hope - the victory over sin and death is already won.  Thank You Jesus!  You are an awesome God who loves us.  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 to me today and every day.

"Lord, teach us to pray[.]"

Luke 11

"Lord, teach us to pray[.]" Luke 11:1

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God seeks for us to pray.  John Piper helps us see that the focus is not that we should pray - we of course know this - but it is that our prayer should first and foremost recognize our sinful nature and pray for our own forgiveness.  Piper highlights Luke 11:3 and shares that "Jesus assumes that we need to seek forgiveness virtually every time we pray." He then shares that "God does not turn away the prayers of sinners when they pray like this." Piper also uses Luke 11:13 where Jesus calls out the disciples as "evil," to highlight the call to pray for forgiveness. Piper then continues by saying that in Luke 11:13, "[Jesus] meant that as long as this fallen age lasts, even his own disciples will have an evil bent that pollutes everything they do, but doesn’t keep them from doing much good as they rely on his grace and power....We are sinners and we are beggars. And if we recognize this sin, renounce it, fight it, and cling to the cross of Christ as our hope, then God will hear us and answer our prayers."  Humility and repentance are core attributes of faith.  God to Jesus daily recognizing not just that we come empty handed (with nothing to offer but our life as a living sacrifice) but that our hands and lives are stained with sin.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good to me - forgiving my sins not just once but every time I ask for it - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You forgive and sanctify me as I turn towards You.  These blessings are overwhelming and I don't deserve them as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus for my sins of commission and omission...help me 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.  

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40-41

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move on Lesson 15, Day 2, which looks at Isaiah 40. My commentary provides the following divisions for this chapter:

1. The proclaimed glory of God comforts sinners with forgiveness (v1-11)
2. The immeasurable glory of God dwarfs the cosmos and the nations (v12-26)
3. The limitless glory of God strengthens the weary (v27-31)
   

As previously indicated in the past couple of posts, chapter 40 marks a transition as the commentary states that God yearns that his crushed people, humbled and broken under his judgements, will see that atonement for their sin is God's final purpose....Now at last Judah is assured that full atonement is provided for all her sins."

The commentary shares the following applications for Isaiah 40:

1. trust in Christ
2. expect the need for daily strengthening of our faith
3. pray confidently and humbly
4. appreciate our own fragility and mortality
5. set our hope on the grace to be given to us when Jesus Christ returns

Comment and discuss this post.

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

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 40-41

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I complete  Lesson 15, looking at Day 1, which looks at Isaiah 40-41.  To prepare me for these chapters, my study has me reading Isaiah 1 for review and context, particularly as Isaiah chapters 40-66 mark a more forward looking view for Judah (messianic prophecies, etc.) vs judgement of Judah's sin (chapters 1-39). Isaiah 1 paints a very bleak picture of Judah, during the days of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.  Words used by Isaiah to describe Judah include sinful, corrupt, and estranged from the Lord (v4), sick head and heart (v5), inhabiting a land that is desolate, overthrown and besieged (due to punishment from God) (v7-8), full of empty worship rituals and prayers (v10-15), failing to deliver justice and to assist those in need (v17), etc. - a very bleak picture indeed.  Yet contemporary believers cannot escape such sin - just read about recent sin within the Southern Baptist Convention.  As bleak as our sin is - and we all sin - we have a glorious savior who saves and redeems - Jesus Christ!  We need to repent!

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My Prayer:  Heavenly Father - You are a glorious God indeed!  Worthy of my worship and living sacrifice!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless me.  My sin is great...and daily.  Please forgive me as I chase comfort vs worship and service.  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, an apply Your message for me today and every day.

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on encouraging everyone to acknowledge their imperfections, and on how Jesus sanctifies those who surrender to Him and "work out their faith" (Philippians 2:12) in Him. We are all imperfect but  God not only forgives those who place their faith in Him, but He also sanctifies them.  Those who truly believe in Jesus hate sin, just as God does, but faith in Jesus and a desire to seek Him for forgiveness and sanctification put us on a path towards victory over sin. I need both forgiveness and sanctification. Great encouragement indeed! 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, who forgives me, and who sanctifies me - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed!  Yet I am not deserving because my sin of many kinds continues...please forgive me and help me turn from and 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 priest shall make atonement for him/them for the sin which he has committed, and he/they shall be forgiven.

Leviticus 4

And the priest shall make atonement for him/them for the sin which he has committed, and he/they shall be forgiven. Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter four - How God Deals with Sin - covering Leviticus 4:1-35, looking specifically at the theme God Forgives People for Present Sin. My post yesterday described how God provided the law to make sin known to us, so that we can then approach God for atonement.  This morning, the commentary highlights how Leviticus 4 describes God's treatment of unintentional sin, indicating how "unintentional" is used three times in v4:2, 22, and 27 based on how priests, leaders and common people are to purify themselves of unintentional sin. The ESV translation goes further, using "unintentional" in v4:13 in the context of such sin committed by the whole congregation of Israel. The commentary defines and unpacks the use of the word unintentional, stating as such sin is not premeditated or planned, we nonetheless can find ourselves involved in sin by "unthinkingly stray[ing] into trouble like sheep."  Isaiah 53:6 is referenced for its use of how we are all just like sheep that easily go astray.  The commentary discusses how unintentional sin is still sin nonetheless - it can simply be a matter of negligence - we stopped paying attention or we were less focused or aware of our surroundings or circumstances - mistakes happen.  But God of course sees all of this sin and provides a path for atonement for all of our sin whether it be intentional or unintentional.  The commentary points to v4:20, 26, 31, and 35, which states how sin is forgiven. We are urged by the commentary to see how God forgives all but it is not automatic - in the Old Testament the sacrificial system provided a path for atonement but with the Second Covenant, Christ died once and for all. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who forgives me for my sins - intentional and unintentional.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You forgive, for such mercy and compassion, and for all the other many blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Chapter 38: Pages 543-554

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) with Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 8 "Providence Over Christian Living" - moving to chapter thirty-eight "Forgiveness, Justification, and Obedience".

Here, Piper begins (continues through chapter 43) to explore "God's saving providence between conversion and eternal glory." Piper wants us to understand "what [God] command[s] from us and commits to do for us so that we will have vigilance and confidence for every hazard." He then moves on to state that "[t]he provision of God's providence for our perseverance does not begin with the commandments to persevere, or with God's power to help us."  Forgiveness, justification (Christ's perfect righteousness counted as ours) and and obedience are all preceded by both Christ's death (once for all) and resurrection and our conversion. Piper uses Romans 3:28, 4:5, 5:1, and Galatians 2:16, 3:8) to clarify that although justification occurs "the moment we believe...[t]he obedience of Christ, the basis for our justification, was completed once for all before we existed (Romans 5:19)." 

As a lead in to the next five chapters, Piper sums it up by stating that "forgiveness and justification are indispensable starting points for the Christian life. And they form the ongoing foundation of every act of Christian obedience."  We are encouraged to avoid chasing acceptance but instead charged to see that we have already been justified through Christ's blood and our conversion.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who both forgives and justifies me through Your death on the cross - thank You!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it will continue until I die - including my sin today.  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. 

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Matthew 26

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. Isaiah 45:23

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This afternoon, I continue with the story of "Matthew: Redefining God's Family*".

*Title of lesson seven from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day five starts with Max Lucado highlighting how it was not just Judas who betrayed Jesus on the night Jesus was arrested but all the disciples, including Matthew, and even all believers. Lucado wants us to recognize that all of us at one point or another in our lives have betrayed Jesus.  We are all guilty.  Yet Jesus restored the believers and He restores us.  He rose again, provides us with the Holy Spirit and promises never to leave or forsake us.  What an incredible promise - all this for a broken and sinful group of people who often fall down in trust of God. We should recognize God's grace in light of how we betray Jesus.  He loves us, in spite of our sin.  God loves us in ways that no other can.  We also need to recognize WHO IS IT THAT LOVES US - the God of the Universe.  The Lord of Lords...this should cause all to fall to their knees in worship. 

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. Isaiah 45:23

It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” Romans 14:23

 

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth[.] Philippians 2:10

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You are the God of the Universe who knows everything about me, including my sin and betrayal of You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues, including 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.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Matthew 8, 11-12 Luke 7-8, 11 and Mark 3

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:44-47

Day 298 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 move further into the New Testament - focusing again on the early efforts of Jesus' ministry. My commentary notes: [n]o doubt by this time the religious leaders are also becoming increasingly aware of Jesus’ extraordinary power. Instead of accepting it as divine, they accuse Jesus of having power from Satan. What follows is a scathing rebuke of the Pharisees for their disbelief and hypocrisy, and an urgent call for repentance." Many of Jesus' miracles are captured in this morning's scripture, including the healing of the centurion's servant, and other healings. Many are supporting Jesus at this point, personally sacrificing to do so, and in so doing, demonstrating deep love of, and faith in, Jesus: note Jesus' anointing by the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50). Once again, while there is much worthy of pause and reflection this morning, it is this passage where I stop and dig in - as John Piper provides insight.  Piper indicates that our love of Jesus is the result or evidence of the extent to which we acknowledge the gravity of our forgiven sins.  This is why humility is key. We all sin (see Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) but it is our acknowledgement of the gravity of our sin that drives us to Jesus as He is only One to save.  See more on humility from John Piper.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have forgiven many sins for me already and many grave sins - yet You died on the cross for me.  I am grateful - the greatest gift of all time - but of course undeserving.  My sin continues...daily...including 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. 

He will not turn his face from you if you return to him....May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 29-31

He will not turn his face from you if you return to him....May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 30:9, 18-19

Day 184 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 this morning with details about how King Hezekiah of Judah led a spiritual revival in his kingdom.  My commentary* highlights scripture that describes how he ordered the temple cleansed (2 Chronicles 29), led worship for two weeks straight during both Passover (2 Chronicles 30) and one additional week due to the zeal of the Lord and of those in attendance for worship.  He destroyed all idols and high places associated with foreign gods, led the people in tithing, and assigned roles and tasks (all in 2 Chronicles 31).

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

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:20-21

For me, what is most striking is how Hezekiah reaches out to the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Chronicles 30) to join in the worship, despite how Israel went to war with Judah and took Judah captive.  Just as God demonstrates grace and compassion with all people, Hezekiah demonstrates grace and compassion with Israel.

At the king’s command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials, which read:

“People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:6-9

Hezekiah (as led by God) even demonstrated grace to those who were unclean according to ceremonial law:

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 2 Chronicles 30:18-20

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO full of grace and compassion for me and ALL people.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  I continue to 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.

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

Hosea 1-3 

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:23

  

Day 167 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 Hosea, a prophet whom God calls to marry a promiscuous woman (Gomer), as this experience is used as an analogy for how Israel sought foreign gods rather than God (Hosea 1:2). Gomer gives birth to three children and the names given to these children - Jezreel or God sows, Lo-Ruhamah or not loved, and Lo-Ammi or not my people - all reflect God's plans for Israel as foreign invaders will overcome Israel.  John MacArthur indicates that for the time being Judah is spared (Hosea 1:7) as God intervenes "on behalf of Hezekiah"(see 2 Kings 19) - this will be covered in more detail in the coming days as my study of Hosea is split across three days.

God's words to prepare Hosea include sharing God's anger with Israel, as well as his plans for forgiveness and acceptance following repentance.

Several key takeaways this morning:
- We must acknowledge where life and our blessings come from - we cannot exist without God. (Hosea 2:8); Israel stopped doing this and drifted away from God. 
- Just as God disciplines Israel, we should view discipline as training.
- Forgiveness awaits those who repent.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has demonstrated unbelievable mercy, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance for me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...worry and more.  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 King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, even while I continue to sin and even though I am still a sinner - thank You Jesus!  I know You hate both sin and sinners (like me) but You also love me and sent Your Son Jesus to save me - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I love You but I am not deserving.  I continue to sin...to complain/grumble and to be harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. v74-75

Jesus told Peter during the last supper (Matthew 26:34) that Peter would disown Him three times before the rooster crowed and indeed this comes to pass as "no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37).  Yet Jesus restores Peter completely and He does for this all of His children - we don't deserve it but Jesus is full of grace and provides forgiveness and reconciliation back to God.

The greatest gift of all time.  Jesus is the reason for the season...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is so full of grace for me...even though I am completely undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  I am unworthy...I worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and 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.

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. v22

Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him and Jesus' response reinforces that we are to love and forgive others as Jesus loves us.  

Jesus came to rescue us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

We are to love others as Jesus loves us (John 13:34). 

Forgive as Jesus forgave us (Colossians 3:13).

Jesus of course sets a high bar and one that we cannot reach but Jesus will transform our heart and mind as we draw near to him (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are an awesome God who loves me, came to rescue and save me - all while I was still a sinner.  You love me just as I am and You continue to do a work in my heart and life - thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out.  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry, among my many 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 the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

Hosea 3

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. v4-5

All of us sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and turn to other Gods from time to time.  Yet we have a God who welcomes us back with open arms – we must first repent and ask for His forgiveness.  God is full of grace and mercy and He will forgive us.  However, even though God forgives us, we will all be held accountable for our actions – either in this life or on the Day of Judgement when we die or when Jesus returns. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, mercy and second chances – You forgive even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of such forgiveness.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please 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.

This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings at their death.

Ezekiel 43

This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings at their death. v7

Ezekiel has a vision of the temple's restoration in Jerusalem.  The temple is measured and described in the same detail that went into the temple's original construction. The physical restoration of the temple is matched by a spiritual restoration.

As I posted yesterday, we are intended to live in unity with God and the statement from God in v7 demonstrates God's intention to fulfill a promise he made to David.   God wants us to have freedom from the sting of sin and death so He provides a path of reconciliation through Jesus Christ - this is love and God is faithful because this is what He promised.

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You came to die for us.  I am overwhelmed by Your love. Thank You!  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me for my worry 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 church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 57

I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. v15

God wants all of His children to return to Him...to turn from their sinful ways towards Him.  We must be willing to acknowledge that we all sin and are in need of a savior...that we are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).

See also the Parable of the Lost or Prodigal Son.  

God loves us so much that He offers forgiveness and second (and third, etc.) chances.

However, God's patience is not unlimited and we must act with a sense of urgency.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has welcomed me back SO many times.  Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love.  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.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 30

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! v18

Yes both Israel and Judah have turned from God and sinned, worshiping other Gods...just as we do when we look to the world to be filled and satisfied.  Yet we have a God who is full of mercy, compassion, grace, and patience.  We are to dispense grace to others just as God has for us:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are an awesome God who is SO full of grace, mercy, compassion, and patience for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  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.  Please 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.