These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. Jude 16

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on an unassisted review of the fourth division per the commentary - v16.  Jude, before he pivots to words of encouragement as he winds down his letter, concludes his remarks on the sinful acts of false teachers describing them as grumblers, malcontents (one who is in active opposition to an established order or government), selfish, arrogant, and greedy - all of which are sins referred to often in scripture.  Of course these reflect a heart condition in opposition to God.  On the other hand we have fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) and David (a man after God's heart - see Acts 13:22).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me my faith, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and brothers and sisters in Christ who sharpen, encourage and hold me accountable.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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 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. 

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

1 John 2:28-3:3

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

After a relatively short pause, I return to my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  This morning, my focus is an unassisted review of 1 John 2:28-3:3. A striking highlight from the text this morning is the focus on how God cares for us - He addresses us as children (1 John 2:28, 3:1,2) and as children of God - under His care.  

• 2:28 - we are encouraged to remain close to God, to practice the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, Bible reading/study, etc.; the reason provided by John is that we will be prepared for Jesus' second coming (see also Matthew 24).
• 2:29 - those who mirror or demonstrate attributes of Jesus or are a light (bear fruits of the Spirit) provide a marker or litmus test for those who are children of God (and are prepared)
• 3:1 - God adopts believers as His children; non-believers may not fully know, understand or appreciate believers (and we may be persecuted as a result) because they don't fully know, understand or appreciate God
• 3:2 - Referred to again as God's children, believers have hope that either when we die or when Jesus comes again, we will enter Heaven - our home - be fully glorified, and see Jesus face to face - this will be glorious indeed!  Believers who hope in Him - and who practice the spiritual disciplines, and abide in Him - are sanctified by God.
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - I am part of Your family and I gain supernatural peace and comfort from having complete confidence in this.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and care.  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.   

...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

 ...Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how a genuine longing for a return of Christ serves as a marker for authentic faith.  In contrast, John Piper shares how a love of this world (material possessions, earthly pleasures, etc.) while believing in an escape plan from hell serves as a marker for phony faith. Piper provides litmus tests of authentic faith by referring us to 1 Corinthians 1:7 and Philippians 3:20 - do we await the return of Christ as these churches did?  Of course, another litmus test offered by scripture is "fruit of the Spirit" as described in Galatians 5:22. Others should see a truly transformed heart and life as evidenced by such fruit.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - thank You for saving me and for the sanctifying work You have done and continue to do in my life - I know there is more to do but I am grateful for what You have already done.  I am prayerful that I submit to You and allow You to continue to work in my heart and life.  I am undeserving of how You love me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me, help me turn from and overcome such 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.

[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy[.]

Colossians 1

[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy[.] Colossians 1:11

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God provides patience to believers through faith in God's glorious might. First, Piper provides key insights into how patience is "evidence of an inner strength."  Piper writes: "[i]mpatient people are weak, and therefore dependent on external supports — like schedules that go just right and circumstances that support their fragile hearts. Their outbursts of oaths and threats and harsh criticisms of the culprits who crossed their plans do not sound weak. But that noise is all a camouflage of weakness. Patience demands tremendous inner strength."  In contrast, Piper describes believers as gaining their strength from God as faith in God's glorious might is the "channel through which the power for patience comes."  Piper wraps the devotion by pointing us to Galatians 3:5 where he builds his case that it is through faith in God and His glorious might where believers experience fruits of the Spirit - of which patience is one (Galatians 5:22). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose sanctifying work is a blessing and I have experienced that in my own life as You have given me greater patience - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of this and all the other blessings You provide.  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.

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Proverbs 9

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Proverbs 9:17

On the back half of my vacation in Maine, I continue my study of Proverbs 9.  Here, my study unpacks how wisdom contrasts with folly. Attributes of someone seeking wisdom include humility and a desire for feedback and instruction (v9-10) versus someone seeking folly who does not fear the Lord nor does he seek reproval or feedback (v7-8).  This is an important litmus test as we journey in our faith.  We are tempted to seek folly as the benefits may seem "sweet" or "pleasant" but we should validate the extent to which our journey is one of humility.  Others should look for fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16-24).  We should also surround ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ (Proverbs 27:17) who can help us detect when we fall prey to the temptations that seek to distract us from pursuit of wisdom (vs folly).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your path is straight and You light my way and You keep my feet steady - thank You Jesus for helping me stay on the path of wisdom.  I am not deserving of how You lead me and protect me.  My sin is great and I often wander off Your path.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

Isaiah 5

Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. Isaiah 4:2

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 9 of my study, I start with Isaiah 5. While in the coming days, I will explore Isaiah 5 in more detail, this chapter starts with a portrait of a loving God who cares for and provides for His creation.  It ends on a sorrowful note where despite God's loving care for His creation (Israel specifically) - the yield of His creation is not what He desires.  Contrast the wild grapes discussed here in Isaiah 5 with the "fruits of the Spirit" Paul discusses in Galatians 5:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Once again, we exist to make much of God's name and to produce fruit.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who cares for me in all ways - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You care for me - including my salvation.  My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me for my worry and other sins.  Help me turn from my sin and 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.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison[.]

Leviticus 13-15

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison[.] 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - completing chapter thirteen - Unclean! - covering Leviticus 13-15, looking specifically at the fifth and final theme for the chapter - Followers of Jesus Have a Future with No Sickness.  Here, the commentary focuses on how Jesus provides the greatest hope and source of strength believers have.  Leviticus 13-14 describe uncleanness from skin disease, and over the past several days my posts have discussed the commentary's perspectives on how skin disease, although not a sin, represents a consequence of our fallen and sinful state based on the original sin. This morning, the entry from the commentary more specifically looks at our fallen and sinful state, and how, for believers, although our earthly bodies face decay (including sickness and infirmities and the associated discomfort, pain, and suffering), when we enter Heaven, we will be made new again, and all of the earthly aspects of our bodies and the associated experience goes away.  The commentary refers to the following additional scriptures to emphasize this (and arguably most) important point:

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:51-55

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - thank You!  Thank You and praise God for the hope, peace of mind, strength, and encouragement You provide by promising eternal life!  I know in Heaven I will see a renewed Dustin with no Down Syndrome and I will see my mom there as well - among the many brothers and sisters in Christ I will see - how glorious!  I am not deserving of these blessings and the amazing grace You pour out for me.  My sins of gossip, worry, etc. continue.  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.

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

Romans 7

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on to chapter nine Wretched Man, Wonderful Messiah, which covers Romans 7.  My focus today is Romans 7:1-6.  In these six verses, Paul builds on chapter 6 (see post yesterday and previous posts) he writes how believers are no longer slaves or dead to sin but are reborn and alive in Christ. He helps unpack this by helping us see how through an earthly death, you may experience freedom from the law (see v1-3).  Now, Paul wants us to better understand both the benefit of dying to sin and being alive in Christ but also the purpose - we escape condemnation and we "bear fruit for God" (v4). 

We exist to bear fruit for God - to glorify Him...and why would not desire to for all that He has done for us!

My commentary reminds me that for Jews in Rome reading Paul's letter, that Paul seeks to confirm with them that all scripture matters, and that Christ is the fulfillment of the law.  He does not want Jews to not believe as he "weeps over Jewish unbelief." The commentary goes on to encourage us to see the application as believers are no longer "wed" to the (Mosaic) law as our old selves died when Christ died on the cross for us and we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior.  We are wed to Christ and in union with Christ (see this post).  We are also to see the consequences or benefit of this union as fruit of the Spirit. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who rescued me from my sin and gave me new life!  Thank You Jesus! The greatest gift of all time - I am undeserving of such a gift and of all the blessings You pour out for me.  I have anger and other sins that continue every day.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

James 1-5

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24

Day 353 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 - this morning I read James. My commentary* bundles both the letters of James and Jude into a single day but given I feel there is already enough in James I broke this into two days and I will read Jude tomorrow. Both my commentary* and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) write that James - the half brother of Christ - is the author of the letter from James in the NT.  My commentary also offers up the following: "[i]n the Gospel accounts there is an indication that Jesus’ brothers initially rejected his deity and lordship, but the historical record later includes his brothers as being among the disciples in Jerusalem following Christ’s ascension....If the traditional date of James’ death is accurate, then his letter must have been written prior to A.D. 62. It may have been as early as A.D. 50–60, but the exact date is not certain. Addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (a designation for the post-exilic Jews and, by extension, all Christians everywhere), the letter probably is intended for general distribution among the scattered churches of Christ. Unlike Paul, James does not struggle with deep issues of doctrine or comment upon any specific problems which a particular local church might be facing. Rather, he addresses himself to the crisis of persecution facing all the churches during this time."

"After discussing the nature of temptation, James writes at length concerning the need for consistency between faith and conduct. In context, James appears to be saying that only those who demonstrate true faith can endure the sufferings of the times, and that faith can be measured by conduct. It is also possible that James is urging consistency between belief and action as a source of strength against temptation. James closes his letter with various exhortations for saints having to endure suffering. Despite its immediate relevance to times of widespread persecution, James’ writing contains words of practical advice for every Christian’s daily walk."

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

While James covers several topics in his letter, my focus this morning is how our lives - if we are to have true faith as James indicates - must bear fruit. Faith and acts work together.  See also my post from a couple of days ago upon reading Titus.

Although I highlight James 2:21-24, other verses on this topic from James' letter include: 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

James letter provides us with a litmus test for our faith...as does Paul's letter Galatians where in 5:22-23 of the letter we have another litmus test.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You have grown in my heart and worked in my life to make me more like You and produced fruit - thank You Jesus!  I also know that I am not done!  There is more work by You in me to be done.  Thank You Jesus for what You have done to sanctify and refine me but please forgive me for my sins that continue...worry, harshness, 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.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord....The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart....A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Various Proverbs 

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord....The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart....A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 16:2, 17:3, 21:2

Day 137 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that examine sincere motivation (motive and the heart, false worship, and duplicity), concern for others (love and faithfulness, love, hatred, and compassion, kindness and mercy, and overstaying a welcome), and concern for self (pride and humility, selfishness, jealousy, envy, and greed). 

All of today's themes are important and it is of course challenging to find one for close examination but today I am going to zero in on the importance of one's heart condition.  Regardless of your faith or not, everyone generally wants to be a "good" person and with today's current political climate there is emphasis on tolerance, love, etc. Yet my view (coming from scripture), is that we are all sinful and we have been since The Fall.  The only way for us to truly transform ourselves into someone who loves and is genuinely good (or better) is through heart transformation and this is only achieved through Jesus Christ. 

God knows our heart and with His help (as we draw near to Him) He transforms our heart and life. 

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2

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

The hope is that as we are transformed into more of God's image, then we will demonstrate "fruits of the Spirit" that can help us truly be better people and hopefully achieve the unity and harmony so desperately needed.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23

I am of the opinion that what we face today is a "Jesus" problem in the sense that we don't have enough faith in Him to do what ONLY He can do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has SO generously attended to my heart and transformed my heart and life and I am grateful for the many resulting blessings.  I also know I am undeserving - my sin continues.  Please forgive me for my sin 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.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

1 Timothy 1

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. v8

Paul starts out writing Timothy about the need to prevent the spread of false teaching.  Doctrinal truth is critical and we should avoid false teachers and teachings for many reasons - which of course starts with a desire to SEEK truth (or a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" - see also Matthew 5:6).  We can practically gain a better understanding of truth through both our own study as well as study with and through others as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).  

John Piper provides great insights into how the search for truth and fellowship/unity are both important - see this post.  Unity can only be gained through truth.  Piper calls this "purity for the sake of unity".

On the other hand, which is also what Piper indicates, false teaching creates division.

If we have truth in our heart, we should expect to see fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) - I believe it is useful to ask those around us if fruit is present in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am grateful for the fruit You have produced in my life.  I know You are not done but I DO know that fruit is present - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for giving me a desire for You, faith, and truth.  Yet I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin 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.

The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10

The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. v8-9

Paul is writing about Israel and how Christ revealed Himself to the Jews and how "they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness" (v3).  He was the Messiah expected by the Jews but they did not see Him as such.

Therefore, since The Word is near us - in the form of scripture, the church, the Holy Spirit, and those who share these with us - we should take the time to know Him as He is revealed in all of these things.  We are all seeking something, something that is real and who will fill our lives with the Fruits of the Spirit.  With Jesus, we get all of this and more, but we must simply believe and profess our faith. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the One True God - the One who created and is in all things - and also our Savior. Thank You Jesus for adopting us as Your children and giving us fruits of the Spirit and everlasting life!  We are undeserving of such love and blessings.  I know for myself that I worry.  Please forgive me Father and 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.

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” v32-33

The past several days of my study appear to be drawing a broad theme - that we as believers must have faith and express that faith through prayer and other means.  In this passage in Matthew 14, Jesus walks on water as does Peter, yet Peter's faith weakens as he grows afraid. Jesus does not want us to be afraid (see v27, additional verses here) and He wants us to cast our cares on Him through prayer, etc.  If we have Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) we will have peace and not be afraid.

On prayer, Piper writes that "God acts when we pray" and that "God can do more in five seconds than we can do in five years".

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a good, good Father and my God - the One True God who saved me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I do get afraid.  Please forgive me Jesus for such sin 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 my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. v8-9

As I posted yesterday, God offers us an invitation to be in relationship with Him and we should treat this invitation with urgency.  As well, we are offered this invitation in the context of great promises.

He will have mercy on us (v7).

God will make us flourish (for His glory) (v10-11, 13).

God will give us joy and peace (see also fruits of the Spirit) (v12).

One additional promise that I picked up this morning is how God will lead us.  We often want to go our own ways and we foolishly call this freedom.  Yet we have freedom in Christ.  

I am thankful that I (most of the time) allow God to direct my steps.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who promises so much more than what we can get from the world - which is full of lies.  Thank You God for Your promises which I know are ALWAYS true as You are faithful.  I am not worth such love.  I am too easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

Psalm 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who offers freedom, life, and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus for raising me from the dead for I was dead in my sin.  Thank You.  I am not worth such love and blessings as You provide.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.

Nehemiah 8

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.v8

After the wall was rebuilt, the people assembled and Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God.  As the people worshiped they responded with Amen and there was great joy (v12, v17) "because they now understood the words that had been made known to them".

When we converse with God, reading and studying His Word, and we do so diligently, we will not only find God, we will find what God promises as the Holy Spirit comes upon us - the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

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

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

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors[.] Proverbs 8:34

 

Matthew Henry, in his commentary, states: "[s]pare hours cannot be better spent than in studying the scriptures and conversing with them".

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You have made Yourself known to me, in many ways, and daily through scripture, where You meet me, speak to me, and provide for my daily bread - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God because I worry, about my job and my family.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  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 did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.

2 Chronicles 25

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. v2

King Amaziah of Judah did not love the Lord wholeheartedly as commanded in Exodus 20 and elaborated further in Deuteronomy as "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul". 

We are also warned in Revelation not to be lukewarm:

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:14-17

Yet many of us don't love the Lord wholeheartedly either - but why?

My view is that many of us don't find joy in pursuing God in the same way we pursue perhaps earthly passions.  I know...I've been there and often find myself there.

We must lean into God - or pursue Him vigorously.  He does promise us that we will be filled:

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

We are also promised fruits of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has filled me and my cup overflows - thank You for the many ways You fill and bless me Jesus.  I am not deserving of 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.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. v18-19

The answer is Jesus Christ...God's one and only Son (John 3:16)...He is this great God who can do and did do everything for us.  Jesus is patient, compassionate and full of mercies.  Galatians 5:22 describes how we bear fruit when the Holy Spirit is with us and we fully surrender our lives to Jesus.   This post provides scripture examples of how we have a God who is slow to anger and abounding in love.  We have a God that has overcome the world and gives us the same power that raised Him from the dead.  WE have all of this and He FREELY gives Himself away...all we need to do is accept Him as our Lord and Savior and believe and trust in Him.

My Prayer: You ARE this God who can do all of this and who frees us from the sting of sin and death!  You gave Your life to us knowing everything about us, including our sin.  You came to save us...thank You Jesus.  You ARE a great God and we are undeserving of such a God.  I know for myself that I too often live for myself vs living for You and others.  Please forgive me 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.

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

Amos 9

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

says the Lord your God. v15

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

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

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

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

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

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 29

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. v11

God wants me to be the "light of the world", so I must demonstrate patience, kindness, peace, etc. (fruits of the spirit).

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

If I am and demonstrate Jesus to others (see Romans 12:1) one would see the fruits of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose love knows no bounds and who is quick to listen and slow to anger.  I am thankful for such a God because I am broken and I know I often fail to be the man You intend for me - yet You love me all the same.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve You, my family, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.