We have [the hope of God's promises] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain[.]

Hebrews 6:13-20

We have [the hope of God's promises] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain[.] Hebrews 6:19

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 6:13-20  - the author of Hebrews builds on v12 (which shares how believers inherit God's promises) by describing how solid God's promises are - that He is faithful. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is so good and gracious.  He knows that people are prone to be weak in their faith.  So He gave Abraham (see also Genesis 22:16-17) not just a promise but also an oath to reassure him (and his descendants, including all believers) that He is faithful - vv13-18.  It seems as if God is distributing grace in advance by sharing this reassurance.  We know Abraham needed reassurance.  He was not perfect and his faith wavered. Vv17-19 also share how it is "impossible for God to lie," how this gives us "strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us," and how this hope serves as "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People waver in their faith and the only way to not waver is to abide, to walk continuously and closely with God.  God then transforms our hearts, minds, and lives to think and live more in His image (Romans 12:2).  We are then encouraged and hopeful as we rest in the certainty of God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20), particularly how the victory over sin and death - for every believer - is already assured. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and You are faithful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love, save and deliver faithfully on all of Your promises.  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.

Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”

 Numbers 26-27

Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” Numbers 27:15-17

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 26-27 - God prepares Israel to enter the Promised Land as He instructs Moses to take a census, and He commissions Joshua to be the new leader of the people. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is faithful - back in Numbers 14:28-35, God promised to punish the entire first generation of Israel who did not trust God or rebelled against Him - the punishment will be that they not enter the Promised Land.  Here in the text today, this promise is kept - see Numbers 26:63-65.  This may not be the faithfulness one seeks - a promise to condemn of punish - but it is a promise nonetheless and we should be mindful that if God shares that man will be punished or condemned, this is not an idle threat - it is a promise.  God responds to   the pleas (prayers) of His people.  In Numbers 27:1-11, we see the plight of the daughters of Zelophehad, who are not going to get an inheritance of land in the Promised Land, yet the daughters took their plea to Moses who interceded on their behalf.  God answers their prayer and He seeks for all believers to bring their cares and concerns to Him - see also 1 Peter 5:7.  God hears our cries and responds to us - the response may not be what we seek, but He does respond and He does provide, comfort, encourage, etc. God's promise (Numbers 20:12) that Moses will not enter the Promised Land is also fulfilled here - Numbers 27:13-14.  God chooses and prepares Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land.         
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Moses does not quarrel with God about his punishment - that he will not enter the promised land.  His concern once again is for the people - what an incredible response of humility.  Moses surrenders his life to God's will.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that God is faithful in all things - 2 Corinthians 1:20.  Follow the example of Moses, who in humility and obedience, surrender to the will of God and trusted Him.     

Comment and discuss this post

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

God is not man, that he should lie,or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

 Numbers 23:13-30

God is not man, that he should lie,or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 23:13-30 -  we see an obstinate Balak who is determined to curse Israel, despite God's will that they be blessed.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God once again makes Himself and His will clear.  He will not curse Israel.  In doing so, He also reveals part of His nature - that He does not lie (He is Truth) and when He makes a promise, He fulfills His promises. God also uses both believers and non-believers such as Balaam - a pagan prophet - and He works through them in both words and deeds to accomplish His will. And once again, we must understand that God's will is not to be thwarted.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: As I posted yesterday, Balak does not like God's word spoken through Balaam so he pushes his will, even though it is contrary to God's will.  See v13 where Balak continues to push Balaam to curse Israel.  Balak is not as wise as Solomon who shared in Proverbs 19:21 "[m]any are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." In vv25-30, Balak, continues to disregard God's will and in chapter 24 (for Saturday) we will God's reaction.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do NOT blatantly and repeatedly disregard God's will.  Claim the promise that God's Truth is eternal, it never changes, and God does not lie - we can rest in His Word and His promises.  Follow the example of Balaam who finally recognizes that He must follow God's will and desires. Understand God's will (Romans 12:2) and pray for obedience and that God make it not burdensome because You love Him and You want to follow His desires because of how good He is. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Your Truth is eternal, You never lie, nor change Your mind, and we can rest in Your Word and promises.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and how You are faithful.  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.  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.

While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague.

 Numbers 11:31-35

While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague. Numbers 11:33

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 11:31-35 - we see God fulfilling His promise to punish the people who complained about their provisions of food and craved meat.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: On the backs of their grumbling and complaining -  see post from two days ago and yesterday - God fulfills His promise to provide meat (quail) - in a gluttonous amount - to the people who craved such meat.  While God did not specifically promise a plague and for them to die, God did express anger and promised consequences.  This leads one to believe that perhaps God was giving the people an opportunity to repent and seek mercy for their sin of complaining before He delivered on the promise of consequences.  Regardless of how one interprets the text, it is hard to deny that God was faithful - He was angry and promised consequences and these consequences came to pass.  Every promise of God finds their yes in Jesus - 2 Corinthians 1:20. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people suffered due to God's wrath and there is no record in the text that they repented.  You would expect that after such suffering that they would - those who remained and moved on to Hazeroth (v35).  Often we see only what we want to see and not see what God wants us to see.  God wants us to see His glory and how He saves.  He rescued Israel from bondage and led them through the wilderness and provided for them - yet they complained, focusing on their own expectations and not God's plans.  He was building a nation, and ultimately a church.  We should seek God and pray that He renews our mind (Romans 12:2) such that we can His will. 
• 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 missing what God is doing and focusing on how your circumstances don't meet expectations and then complaining or expressing frustration.  Claim the promise that God is always at work for good (Romans 8:28).  Follow the example of Paul who gave thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Seek God and how He renews minds to align our thoughts and desires to be more like His.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You are SO faithful and always at work for good.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save and are so faithful.  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.  

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

 John 20:1-10

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. John 20:8-9

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 20:1-10, where we see the initial details of Jesus' resurrection.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus rose from the tomb (later starting in v14) - just as prophecy described and Jesus shared He would (see John 2:18-22). Jesus fulfills the law and is faithful to His promises. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciple seek Jesus, and we see the other disciple believe after entering the tomb and not seeing Jesus but only the burial clothes.  The other disciple had not yet "underst[ood] the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead, but he did now.  Also part of the text is how both Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb (v4) with the other disciple outrunning Peter to the tomb.  God wants us to run after Him - to seek Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  This is the most important commandment.  Here we see that the other disciple ran after and sought Jesus and Jesus' promise came true as do all of His promises - that if we seek Him with all of our heart, soul and mind we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
• 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 lack of trust in God.  Claim the promises that if we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him, and that all of the promises of God find their yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). Follow the example of Peter and the other example who ran after God.  Trust in Him as He is faithful.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of how You save and are so faithful and bless...abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 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.

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

 John 4:46-54

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. John 4:50

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:46-54 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: In response to the official who requested that Jesus "come down and heal his son who was ill," Jesus shares that "[u]nless you see signs and wonders you will not believe" (v48).  The order of events is key here as Jesus challenges the official to believe before he sees his son's healing.  God seeks faith in Him that He will deliver upon His promises as He is faithful (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).  In response, the official once again pleads with Jesus to come heal his son (v49).  Jesus then shares that "[g]o; your son will live."  The text then shares that the official then believed (v50) before he sees his son healed (vv51-53) - see a similar story in scripture where Jesus heals a centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10).  The text also shares that this the second sign from Jesus after he came from Judea to Galilee (v54). 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People often want evidence or results before they believe - this is the nature of how the human mind works.  When Jesus makes claims that He saves or offers eternal life, for many this is a "bridge too far."  This is a hardened heart.  At the same time, many reach a point in their life where they are so desperate for what Jesus offers that they are prepared to believe Him and have faith - see also Psalm 42:1.  In the text, vv51-53 describes how the official returns home to learn that his son has been healed and the healing corresponds with the hour when Jesus told him that his son would be healed.  The official's faith started in v50 with faith in the "word" Jesus shared that his "son will live." In v53, faith in Jesus as His Lord and Savior then followed when he witnessed (at least heard of it) the miracle of his son's healing.  The official's faith and witness/testimony then became the basis for the faith of "all his household" (v53).
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not demand evidence of Jesus or put God to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16).  Claim the promise that God is faithful.  Follow the example of the official and the centurion to have faith. Abide in Him to grow in your faith and to bear fruit - what He seeks from us.        

Comment and discuss this post

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

But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it....And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Mark 16:9-13

But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it....And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Mark 16:11, 13

I continue my study of Mark, focusing on Mark 16:9-13 as we read about the disciples unbelief in Jesus' resurrection.

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: After His resurrection, Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene, who had been healed by Jesus as He had cast out from her seven demons - v9.  While the motive to appear to Mary first vs others may be difficult to discern from this text, we do know that Jesus recognizes the great generosity of Mary and other women "healed of evil spirits and infirmities" as they provided for Jesus and His ministry "out of their [great] means" (see Luke 8:2 and this Bible encyclopedia entry for Mary Magdalene).  Jesus then appears "in another form" to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus- v12.  We know from Luke 24:18 that one of these is Cleopas.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Mary M goes to tell the disciples of Jesus' resurrection as they had been in mourning over His death - v10 - but they would not belief Mary M - v11. Cleopas and his traveling companion also share with the disciples that they saw the resurrected Jesus, but, again, even though the disciples had then been told this news now twice, they still did not believe the it- v13.  The disciples' unbelief reveals an incomplete understanding of and lack of faith in what Jesus had shared with them that He will rise after death (see John 2:19-21).    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Belief in the resurrection is core to the gospel - without it we are not saved.  We must claim the promise that the victory over sin and death is already won and that our faith and salvation provides eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. We must trust in God that He is faithful - that all the promises of God find their yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that is faithful - we can trust in You.  Thank You for my salvation and for the rest You provide based on Your faithfulness.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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 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.

Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Mark 14:12-25

Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Mark 14:25

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 14:12-25, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus was a teacher - His disciples sought direction and guidance from Him - see v12. He provided guidance and direction - see v13.  Jesus knew what was soon going to happen to Him after the Last Support: His arrest and His crucifixion.  He knew and orchestrated the plan - see vv14-16.  Even the betrayal of Jesus by Judas was orchestrated and known in advance by Jesus - vv18-20.  Jesus predicts the condemnation of Judas - v21.  He provides both a prophecy of His death and a means by which to remember and "celebrate" His death and sacrifice - vv22-24. Jesus knows He is about to die but be resurrected - v25.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: His disciples and those who follow Jesus seek direction, guidance, and wisdom from Him.  Followers of Jesus are obedient - see v16.  His followers love Him and are saddened by any prospect of His betrayal - see v17.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should not betray Jesus - this is a result of one whose commitment to Him is weak or non existent. We should be confident that all of Jesus' prophecies/promises come true (2 Corinthians 1:20) about his death resurrection - they occurred just as He said it was going to be in vv22-25. We should follow the example set by the disciples to seek His guidance and direction (via prayer) and also to be obedient. We should remember Jesus' and what He did for us via communion.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves!  You willingly went to the cross - knowing and orchestrating even Your arrest - and died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your ultimate sacrifice - the greatest gift of all time.  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.

“Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”

Mark 11:1-11

“Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” Mark 11:2-3

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 11:1-11, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus continues towards His death on the cross, fulfilling prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 where the text shares how "your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." There are no signs that He is not willing nor will He not fulfill all of scripture including His gruesome death.  Once again we have a faithful God - He says how He fulfills the law and He is accurate. All of the prophecies pointing towards Jesus and His crucifixion are about to all ring true.  2 Corinthians 1:20.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The disciples are growing in obedience to Jesus as they grow closer to Him - they do what He asks without question more of the time.  Here they do not question Jesus' request to find and get the colt/donkey Jesus rides into Jerusalem.  Others initially question the act (v5) but ultimately obey hearing how it is Jesus who is requesting the colt/donkey (v6).  Some may question God but not Jesus - an appropriate response to Jesus' call.  Similarly we see those who greet Jesus as He enters with praise and worship (vv8-10) - again an appropriate response to Jesus.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God wants to obey Him - to do what He requests.  Just as Jesus was humble, we are to be humble.  We can claim and rest on Jesus' faithfulness; just as Jesus fulfills all prophecy every other promise He makes will come to pass.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is faithful - we can rest knowing that all of Your promises will come to pass - praise Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your faithfulness nor how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Mark 8:1-26

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17-18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 8:1-26, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Crowds gathered everywhere God - v2 - and He had compassion on them, seeking to not just teach and meet their spiritual needs, but also their physical needs. Yet there are those who's hearts remain hardened and fail to understand - it is God alone who softens hearts and brings about an understand of who Jesus is.  See also v12 where Jesus shares how "no sign will be given to this generation" in response to the Pharisees - they had no faith.  This is in contrast to those who demonstrated desperate faith (hunger and thirst). Jesus seeks those who have faith.  Jesus warns us of the influences of those without faith - v15.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Jesus seeks desperate faith from us - that all things are possible - Philippians 4:13.  We are often worried or have doubts (see v4,16) that Jesus can do what He says - we can take comfort in knowing that "all of God's promises find their yes in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).  People often see Jesus as a vending machine - that He has done something and they seek for Him to do it again - this is not faith in Jesus.  Alternatively, Jesus wants those who are truly seeking a healing to come to Him (v22).    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid seeking to test God as the Pharisees in v11 (see also Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12).  We must also remember what God has done - see v18.  Believers all have testimony where they can share at any given moment what He has done in their lives and in those around them - see also Acts 4:20.  We should have desperate faith such as those whom Jesus has healed. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and never stops working for me - You reached down into the pit and saved me - while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  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. 

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I continue a focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) divisions of the text (vv26-29): 

• "This is Mark’s only unique parable. Jesus crafts a second parable about sowing seeds. In the parable of the soils, the focus was on the necessity of sowing and the receptivity of the soils (vv3-8). Here the emphasis falls on the innate power of the seed. The Word of God has within it the power of its own success and triumph. Let the Word loose and watch it work. This parable is instructive concerning the nature of the kingdom in a comprehensive sense. It notes the kingdom’s sowing (v26), growing (vv27-28), and harvesting (v29). From beginning to end, the sovereignty of Christ and the power of the Word stand forth in absolute authority." 
• "The man is not important; the seed is the focus. The man is passive because the power for the seed to sprout and grow is not in him. The coming of the kingdom of God is not contingent or dependent on human activity. The seed of the gospel prospers and grows of itself. Once it is sown, a process is set in motion that cannot and will not be stopped, even though its growth is a total mystery to us. See also James 1:21."
• RE: the harvest, "[w]ho would have imagined that starting with only a group of 12 men, Christianity would grow to where it is today? But it won’t stop there. It will continue to grow until every people group on the planet is found in the kingdom. God will ensure this growth."  

Many may feel, myself included at times, that the seeds of God are not growing at all, whether this is our own faith or journey with God, or how God may not be responding to long-standing prayers such as for salvation for loved ones. Yet God is always at work, and as this commentary emphasizes, while God's plans and designs remain a mystery (see also Isaiah 55:8), we can rest in God's promises - of which there are many (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).  Among the many promises of God where we can rest is Romans 8:28 which shares that "for those who love God all things work together for good." This is a great promise indeed!  This post from DesiringGod.com looks at how farming is used in scripture (among other analogies) and how we are encouraged to have a "long view" on our own sanctification.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me as You never stop working for me and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor how You bless in so many ways.  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. 

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

 Mark 1:1-8

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  This morning, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:1-8.  The commentary for this text provides for an introduction, and two divisions: highlights and excerpts from the introduction and the first division (vv1-4):

1. Introduction: Mark's audience was Romans (vs Matthew wrote to Jews, Luke wrote to Greeks, and John to the world) and how "Jesus is the Suffering Servant who actively ministers on our behalf and gives His life as a ransom for many....Mark recorded, in rapid-fire succession, specific events from the life and ministry of Jesus to prove to a Roman audience that He is the Christ, the Son of God, who served, suffered, died, and rose again as the Suffering Servant of the Lord depicted by the prophet Isaiah." 
2. Vv1-4: Isaiah is certainly not the only Old Testament book the prophesied about the coming Messiah but certainly one of the most prominent if not the most prominent.  Although Mark identifies Jesus as the Son of God in v1, "the disciples never recognize Jesus as the Son of God in the Gospel of Mark."  Others in Mark do however recognize Jesus as the Son of God, including the high priest in Mark 14:61-62, and a Roman soldier in 15:39. "Mark 1:2-3 combines three texts, a common practice in that day, evoking the themes of the wilderness, a new exodus, and the forerunner Elijah....[these include]: Exodus 23:20, Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3.

For believers, there should be no doubts who Jesus is - He is the Savior we all need as we all sin and need a Savior.  We should be merciful to those who doubt who Jesus is as we seek to save others from the fire (Jude 22-23).  Proclaim the Good News persistently.  The commentary emphasizes how God kept His word and promises to send the Messiah and His forerunner.  God always keeps His promises, so we should see Him as faithful.  We may be waiting for a long time, but God never fails to keep His word - see also 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.

Matthew 6:5

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Matthew 6:5a-b

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 5: The Sincerity of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• Sincerity is referred to as "the keystone" and as "fundamental" to one's character.  "This is what we demand of all the higher relationships of life. In the lower relationships sincerity is desirable, but in the higher ones it is absolutely indispensable."
• "There is nothing which so takes the life out of us as the discovery that some one whom we have trusted has been other than what he seemed to be.  The very suspicion that some one whose life is close to us is insincere renders us restless and makes the universe seem insecure."
• "And yet how common insincerity is. What a miserable old humbug of a world we are living in, full of trickery and dishonesty and deceit of every kind."
•  "[Jesus] is a man incapable of a lie. Nothing was so abhorrent to him as falsehood. No other people so stirred his wrath as men who pretended to be what they were not. The most odious word upon his lips was the word 'hypocrite'."
  
•  "It was the sincerity of Jesus which drove him into deadly conflict with the hypocrites. A hypocrite and Jesus cannot live together."
  
• "It was because of Jesus' incorruptible sincerity that we have from his lips such a remarkable outpouring of plain words. You and I do not like plain words. We dare not use them — at least often. We water our words down. We pull the string out of them. We substitute long Latin words for plain, short, Anglo-Saxon words, for by multiplying the syllables we attenuate the meaning. For instance, we say "prevarication' instead of "lie," because falsehood when expressed pompously loses its blackness and grossness. But Jesus would not use words of velvet when words of velvet flattered and deceived. It was his work to help men see themselves as they were. He characterized them by words which accurately described their character."
• "Jesus was incorrigibly sincere, and it was sincerity which drove him to tell men the plain truth."
  
• "There was a strong inducement for him to conceal his extraordinary knowledge. A man makes himself odious by claiming to know more than other men, and by asserting that he can do more than anybody else. It would have been easier for Jesus to adopt the language of the professionally humble people who are always saying that they do not know anything and cannot do anything and do not amount to anything. But Jesus was a man of truth. He could not disguise the fact that his knowledge was unique and that his power was unparalleled. Because he was true he could not hold back the fact that he was the Good Shepherd and the Door, the Bread of Life, and the Light of the World. Nothing but sincerity would ever have driven him to outrage the feelings of his countrymen by assertions so extraordinary. Had he kept silence or pretended to be ignorant on matters on which he possessed full knowledge, he would indeed have been a liar like the very men with whom he was struggling."
  
• "The awful parables of the New Testament are the product of a heart that was uncompromisingly sincere. To speak soft words to men whose feet are hastening down the road to ruin, how was it possible to do it? His very sincerity drove him into language which to our cold hearts seems exaggerated and needlessly abusive. He called the leaders in Jerusalem liars, blind men, fools, serpents, vipers....was it not the duty of Jesus to inform them of their pitiable condition? What else could a sincere friend do?" 
  
•  "It is the calm statement of a horrible fact. The Lord of truth must of necessity use words which accurately characterize the persons who are to be instructed and warned."
  
• Jesus was never accused of falsehoods - instead heresy.  
  
•  "He holds back nothing. What he thinks he says, what he feels he declares. He tones down nothing, he exaggerates nothing. He declares all things as they are. He is not swerved by sin within nor cowed by hostile forces from without. His character is revealed in his speech."
  
• "This, then, is the man we want. A man like this can be a refuge in the time of storm. To him we can flee; when sick at heart, because of the deceptions of the world, we cry out in wretchedness, "Who shall show us any good?" When men disappoint us and friends are few, we can come to one who says, "I am the truth." When we are weary and heavy laden, we can rest our souls upon one who is as certain as the morning and as faithful as the stars."
• "The world is filled with jangling voices and it is hard to know which voice to trust; but his voice has in it something which inspires assurance and quenches uncertainty and doubt." 
  
• "When he says that him that cometh unto him he will in no way cast off, we are certain that if we come we shall be received. When he says, " Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man will hear my voice and open the door I will come in and sup with him and he with me," we are certain of a heavenly guest if we want him. This, then, is why we feel so calm and satisfied with Jesus: he soothes and heals us by being genuine. The heart is always at peace when it rests upon a heart which is sincere."  
  

Indeed very wise words from Mr. Jefferson!  I am left with at least two key takeaways upon reading this chapter of The Character of Jesus.  First, in light of Jesus' sincerity, we can trust in His words and promises - see 2 Corinthians 1:20.  This should give us incredible hope and encouragement to persist, endure and hold steadfast to our faith.  Second, we can trust that God will both reveal our sin to us - by talking plainly to us through the Word and the Holy Spirit - and that He will work in us to make us more like Him as we repent from such sin and turn towards Him.  This latter promise of sanctification, is also one of great hope and encouragement because we should seek to please Him and grow in our obedience to Him - we exist to glorify Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are Truth and I can count on You.  You also give me the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to me and to work in me to sanctify me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:1-6

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on an unassisted review of 4:2, the commentary's second division for the text.  At any given time, all of us, including believers, have anxiety and stress.  Of course, sometimes, we have overwhelming anxiety and stress.  Here in Malachi, God's people were robbing God of both worship and of tithing - both commanded by God (although again the New Testament, while it no longer commands tithing, a lack of tithing reflects a heart condition where there is greater love of money and wealth over God and we are commanded to love God above all else). In light of rampant sin and wickedness that they saw as going unpunished by God, Israel saw worship and tithing as vain because they did not see God's justice - unnecessary worry!  Believers of today may feel this way also - that God is not there or not working - of course this can be worrying.  But God IS there and He is ALWAYS working in all things and for those who love and fear Him.  Malachi 4:2 is an awesome promise of peace that we can experience now and for eternity. Take time to know God (read and study the Bible as the Word is God - see John 1:1-3).  He is like no other and He saves!  See also this post from June 2023 where I leverage John Piper's Solid Joys devotion that highlights the faith of Abraham.  Of anyone who had a right to question whether God was there or working it was Abraham - yet Abraham, while of course not perfect, held firm to his faith and clung to the promise God made with Him. Cling to the promises of God!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is always working and always with us.  We can rest knowing this and that You keep all of Your promises.  Thank You!  I am not deserving of my salvation and for such peace.  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. 

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Malachi 3:6-10a

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10a

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books.  While yesterday my study included a commentary assisted overview of the book of Malachi and an unassisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a, today my study is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a.  This commentary for this text is includes the following excerpts:

1. Main idea and introduction to the text: "God’s commitment to His covenant trumps Israel’s rebellious history, holding out repentance to Israel and lavishing blessing on both Israel and the nations. Even though the people have fluctuated in their affections and devotion to God, He has not changed, which, as we will see, is the very foundation of His promise of restoration."
2. Division #1 - Malachi 3:6: The text begins with God's promise of mercy for Israel based on a promise He made to Jacob in Genesis 32:28.  God keeps His promises. The commentary shares: "Most of the time, when the Israelites are referred to as the children of Jacob, it’s a rebuke for their disobedience. It’s a reference to the name of their forefather before the divine blessing was bestowed. Yet, even though they were faithless, God would remain faithful to them, as He was to their father, Jacob. Their rebellion has led them far from God, but restoration is still possible if they desire change."  We are are challenged today with the same promise - repent and return to God and He will return to You (see v7).   
   
3. Division #2 - Malachi 3:7-10a: True repentance and reconciliation with God focuses on humility, where the commentary shares how Israel was challenging God by asking God how to return to Him, thinking they were already living as God intended.  God disputes this and offers a sharp rebuke - the commentary calls the dialogue here not one of "clarification" but one of "disputation."  We should not be so arrogant to argue with God believing His judgement is wrong.  Instead we should seek clarification about why and how we can live as He desires us to. We exist to glorify God.  God's rebuke focused on how the Israelites were not tithing to God - v8 - calling them robbers.  Our possessions come from God and belong to Him.  We should give back to God what is His in obedience to His commands - see also 2 Corinthians 8-9.  In response to those who claim that we are no longer under the law but under grace, the commentary shares that "grace never expects less;it always demands more...We should not give to God because we are under obligation to tithe, we should give because He has already given us the inexpressible gift of His Son Jesus Christ."  See also Luke 18-19. "Malachi is not necessarily calling out those who have been faithfully giving, asking them to give more; Malachi is calling out those who gave nothing. He is calling out those who haphazardly gave. He is calling out those who are giving without worshiping. God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to understand that a closed hand is unable to receive a blessing. With a generous, open hand, you are opening yourself up to receive God’s blessings. With a rebellious, closed hand, you are hindering your ability to receive God’s blessings."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Malachi 3:6-10a

But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:8-10a

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books.  Given a long pause of my study in Malachi, I first review the commentary's introduction for this book and then read Malachi 3:6-10a which cover the first two divisions per the commentary for the text 3:6-12. Here are a few key excerpts from the commentary's introduction for Malachi:

• "Throughout Malachi we will see how God, as a loving Father, confronts, corrects, and challenges the people of Israel about straying from Him. No one is excluded."
• "Malachi is a call for Israel to return to God before the Messiah comes to earth, for it was written to a people who lived in expectation of Him, but who had not yet seen Him."
• To understand the audience for this book, "we can assume that the nation of Israel has returned from the Babylonian captivity by the time of this book’s writing. By addressing the book “to Israel” rather than “to Israel and Judah,” he is stating that there are no longer two separate kingdoms and that they have returned to their unified state."
• "As will be demonstrated, moral degradation was at an all-time high, with adultery, divorce, falsehood, fraud, and sorcery running rampant throughout the city; the source of much of the corruption was the priests themselves."
• "Malachi, like the prophets before him, looks forward to the Messiah’s coming. He prophesies about the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist, who will prepare the way for Jesus. In the same passage, he also predicts the coming of the Lord Christ Himself[.]
• "The prophecies and warnings that will be exposited in this book bear a special weight also because Malachi is the final canonical work of the OT before the coming of Christ. A 400-year silence from God will be broken by Gabriel’s prediction of John’s and Jesus’ birth in Luke[.]" 

Vv3:6-10a contains both an encouragement and a rebuke from God.  V6 shares an attribute of God and how He does not change - He is our Rock - and how this will save Israel from destruction despite their disobedience and sin.  The verse shares how the children of Jacob are not consumed - this is of course good news for Israel because God made promises to make Israel a great nation through Abraham, Jacob, David, and others (including Jeremiah) and when God makes promises He does not change His mind.  Incredible promises by God are made throughout scripture and believers can take comfort in knowing that all of God's promises find their "Yes" in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 1:20).  The text continues in v7 with God going back and forth with Israel in dialogue exploring how Israel can "get right" with God.  God shares how Israel can "return to [God]" which will in turn result in God returning to Israel.  This same reconciliation applies to everyone (since the Fall, all of humanity is broken and sinful - see Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and it requires confession of sin, request of forgiveness and belief and faith in Jesus as Savior (see Romans 10:10).  In v8, God then shares a response with Israel how they can return to Him by refraining from the sin of which they are guilty (one sin of many - God using His discretion to emphasize what He feels needs calling out).  Israel was not giving to God their tithes and God refers to this as "robbing" Him.  This of course is not just a sin of Israel, but of believers today who do not appropriately tithe.  This is a sensitive topic for most but an important one - see also Matthew 6:21.  Important words from God today!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are a God that makes promises that always come to pass!  Thank You for the incredible promises You make and how I can have peace that they always come to pass.  I am not deserving of the promises of salvation and blessing You make to me as well as other promises.  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 angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:6-7

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 3:6-7, which the commentary outlines as the fifth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  Here, after the Lord removes Joshua's sin - see also previous two posts - the angel of the Lord (recognized by previous commentary as prophecy of Jesus) "solemnly assure[s] Joshua" that if he walks in God's ways and stay obedient to Him, then Joshua would rule in the temple (God's house) and have charge in his courts, which is rule over the government - essentially a religious and political leader.  One should not miss the back half of v7 where the angel of the Lord gives Joshua (if he walks in God's ways and is obedient) "right of access" among those who are standing here, which for believers is all persons of the Holy Trinity - including God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  What an incredible assurance!

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

 Haggai 2:1-5

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. Haggai 2:4-5

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a unassisted review of Haggai 2:1-5, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:1-9. More encouragement delivered through Haggai from the Lord!  In chapter 1 we see God express His disappointment and anger in Israel as they focus on their own lives while the temple lies in disrepair and ruin.  He works in the hearts of leadership and the people and they turn towards the Lord and begin work on the temple - and God shares how He is with them.  Encouraging!  Here in chapter 2, the Lord continues to encourage the governor, the high priest and the people.  He first encourages them to remember the former glory of the temple (v4).  All believers should have top of mind all that God has done, not just in our own lives but everywhere throughout redemptive history.  Our hearts should be filled with gratitude as we recall all that God has done and we should draw nearer to God stay there - in fellowship with Him.  God then encourages us to be strong - there is hard work ahead of Israel to rebuild the temple - there will be days when they grow weary or are otherwise discouraged or afraid to proceed - in the face of this God is with them (vv4-5).  God says to be strong and fear not - the people are to recall God's faithfulness as He shares the covenant He made with them as they left bondage in Egypt - leading them to the promised land. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a faithful God, always keeping Your promises and You are always with me, and I can never be separated from Your love.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God[.]

Ephesians 6:16-17

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God[.] Ephesians 6:16-17

This morning, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores how believers can battle unbelief.  John Piper, in this devotion, looks at several ways he battles unbelief, providing scripture for each one:

• Anxiety about aging: Isaiah 46:4
• Anxiety about dying: Romans 14:7-9
• Anxiety about lack of faith: Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25

Piper then shares how "[u]nbelief in the promises of God is the root of anxiety, which, in turn, is the root of so many other sins."  We are encouraged to lean into our faith, our salvation, and take up the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to fight our daily battles with unbelief.

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

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

2 Corinthians 1

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Today, I pause once again my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, where today, John Piper shares how "Paul links prayer with God's Yes" in 1 Corinthians 1:20.  Piper explains by looking at the Hebrew translation of amen as "a strong affirmation,", or "I agree," or "I affirm what was just said," or "this is true," or simply "an earnest Yes." Piper points us to Numbers 5:22, Nehemiah 5:13, and 8:6 for scriptural references that illustrate the use of amen.  Piper then urges us to reread the highlighted scripture in 2 Corinthians 1:20 to realize that "[i]n Jesus Christ God says his Yes to us through his promises; and in Christ we say our Yes to God through prayer." God is faithful to us as He says yes to all of His promises and we respond in prayer with agreement that God is worth all of the glory!  Piper paraphrases Paul's words as: "'Therefore, because of Christ, we say Amen to God in our prayers to show that God gets the glory for the future grace we are asking for and counting on when we pray.'"

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