[T]he scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

Mark 3:22-30

[T]he scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” Mark 3:22

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:22, which is the text for the first (of three) division of 3:22-30 per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to 3:22-30 and for the first division:

• Main idea of 3:22-30 per the commentary: "Some are so hardened in their rejection of Jesus as God’s true Messiah that they attribute to Satan the works of the Holy Spirit done through Jesus, and they will never be forgiven."
• The concept of an eternal sin - where forgiveness is never available - is discussed.  "Whatever this sin is, we must approach it with the greatest possible gravity and seriousness. When God effectively says, “Commit this sin and I will never forgive you,” there is then no longer any hope for heaven and eternal life."
• Demonstration of this eternal sin - blasphemy against God - "reveals a hardened heart that calls good evil."
• This sin is defined as "a persistent rejection of and declaration against what the Spirit of God is doing in and through Jesus."
• "Those who move in the direction of the unpardonable sin are aware of the miraculous works of Jesus that cannot be denied. The scribes at no point deny He has cast out demons! In addition, this unpardonable sin is characterized by consistently rejecting the obvious and logical conclusion that these spiritual works are done by the Spirit of God."     

There are many who mock God.  It is not my place to identify who these people are but only to believe in the Bible that shares that since the Fall, sin and brokenness exists and God is allowing Satan and sin to persist until He finally defeats Satan as described in Revelation 20:10.  My response to sin and brokenness is to stand on Truth and to put on the whole armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-20.  I know what Jesus has done for me with 100% certainty and what He continues to do - His mercies never cease and are new every morning and He continues to intercede on my behalf with the Father daily.  He gives me the Holy Spirit and will never leave or forsake me. He goes before me and leads me.  Without Him I am nothing.  The rich blessings go on and on...

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God and You are SO good to me - You save, and You forgive as Your mercies never cease and and are new every morning - for those who believe.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the blessings that You pour out in inexhaustible supply.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive 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. 

He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

He set aside [the legal brief against us], nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him....The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Colossians 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #42: To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities.  The devotion today right away dispels any thoughts one might have upon reading the title of the devotion.  Piper is not referring to human governments but of "demonic powers that afflict the world."  We are referred to Ephesians 6:12 where the text describes how believers are not battling "flesh and blood," but instead "cosmic powers" and "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  John 12:31 is also highlighted as the text describes "Jesus' last hour of his life" on the cross as He says that "now will the ruler of this world be cast out."  Piper then moves to share that although Satan and his other fallen angels are defeated, Christ allows them to exist until He returns (second coming). Piper shares: "[n]ot that they were put out of existence. We wrestle with them even now. But they are a defeated foe. We know we have the final victory. It is as though a great dragon has had his head cut off and is thrashing about until he bleeds to death. The battle is won. But we must still be careful of the damage he can do."  Peter warns us about how sin continues to exist and how we should be "alert and sober" - see 1 Peter 5:8.  While this is true, Piper wants us to see his main point, where he points to Colossians 2:14 and shares that "if God’s law no longer condemns us, because Christ canceled our debt, then Satan has no grounds to accuse us."  We are referred as well to Revelation 12:10 where the text describes Satan as the accuser and that during the final battle of end times Satan (the accuser) is "thrown down."  Piper shares: "[t]his is the defeat and the disarming of the rulers and authorities."  Piper then concludes the devotion by then pointing to Romans 8:33 and offering encouragement in light how Satan is disarmed: "now in Christ no accusations can stand against God’s people....Neither man nor Satan can make a charge stick. The legal case is closed. Christ is our righteousness. Our accuser is disarmed. If he tries to speak in the court of heaven, shame will cover his face. Oh, how bold and free we should be in this world as we seek to serve Christ and love people!" Amen!  Rejoice!

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for willingly going to the cross to defeat sin and death, disarming Satan and his angels.  Yes I know sin exists and it will continue to be a struggle but You give me freedom over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor eternal life.  My sins are great and they continue...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.

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

Ecclesiastes 3

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 3:10-15, which is the second division of Ecclesiastes 3 per the commentary.  A few key excerpts from the commentary to unpack v11:

•  "God is the One in charge of these times and appointed activities. And it sets up what follows. The overarching point seems to be that God has appointed or ordained all of these things as part of His bigger, hidden plan." 
  
• "The limit of man’s knowledge is a major theme in Ecclesiastes, and the purpose of exposing that reality is to drive us to faith in God."
• "We perceive and long for better things than this cursed misery, but we cannot see the full picture, and we must lean on God. We are trapped between time and eternity, and we must trust that God uses the details to work out a grander plan."
• "You were made for the Divine and for His purpose, so there should be no surprise that you get frustrated when you turn away from Him. That is the frustration Solomon has been exposing throughout the book. God wants you to be dissatisfied until you come to fellowship with Him."

To help unpack vv12-13, the commentary shares: "[a]gain the question must be asked, Who pleases God? The answer is that none of us do because we have all sinned, but Jesus Christ is the well-pleasing Son who never sinned but took God’s wrath against our sins on the cross, so that by means of faith we might become pleasing and acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, only those who believe the gospel can rightly enjoy God’s blessings as God intended instead of turning the blessings into idols."

On the question of how God's plans are perfect - vv14-15 - the commentary concludes with encouraging words how believers should see the perfection of His plan, which included Jesus dying on the cross for all of humanity's sins, as hope for sinners not just in this world but in the world to come - Heaven.  Believe in Him!

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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 - thank You for giving me hope in this world so that I don't feel futility but instead feel and see purpose...which is to bring glory to You.  I am not deserving of how You save me and give me hope.  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.

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.

Ecclesiastes 3

I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 3:10-15, which is the second division of Ecclesiastes 3 per the commentary.  Building on Solomon's words so far in Ecclesiastes on how all aspects of life are meaningless and futile without God, Solomon specifically looks at how time is meaningless in chapter 3.  Vv1-9 looks at the cycle of life, and how since the Fall we experience a fallen world of sin, pain, anguish, etc., how we are born and die, how there is joy and suffering, and everything in between, as God provides an appointed time and purpose for everything as He is in control. Vv10-15 describes how God's plans are perfect, and although in this life we may not understand God's ways (see also Isaiah 55:8), we know ultimately that God defeats both sin and death, and that He is saving a place for believers in Heaven and believers should have confidence and peace knowing these things.  When we get to Heaven and meet Jesus face to face we will have full understanding of His plans.  Time is meaningless and futile - but God has a plan and it is glorious indeed...and perfect...we should understand in the futility that God loves us, saves us, never leaves or forsakes us, and provides mercies that are new every morning and never cease (Lamentations 3:22-23)...and more!

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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 - revealing Yourself and speaking to me, lighting my path - thank You Jesus!  Without You I would be lost and damned.  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 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.

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Revelation 17-19

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Revelation 19:1-2 

I wrapped my D-Group's study for the week of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide - reviewing once again the key themes for Revelation 17-19, including my memory verse - v19:1-2. With today being Easter, the memory verse for this week is particularly appropriate because God has defeated sin and death, and He did so in order that those who believe have salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  This is worthy of celebration and the worship we offer is worthy the God who gives it to us out an abundance of grace. In his defeat of sin and death, God demonstrated attributes of love but also perfect justice. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have risen indeed.  You have defeated sin and death and You are worthy of my white-hot worship - for You saved me and give me the same power that rose Your body from the grave.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

Isaiah 24-25

Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. Isaiah 25:3

I return to my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 4, the focus continues with Isaiah 25, where we see - following judgement of the whole earth in the preceding chapter - messianic prophecies providing eternal salvation for the faithful. My commentary indicates that as part of God's perfect plan of redemptive history, God converts violent nations in Isaiah 25:2-3, and these verses describe the reverence of God as a response from the subdued violent nations. My commentary includes numerous examples of enemies of God converted by Him, including "Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-35), the Roman centurion who crucified Jesus (Mark 15:39); [and] Saul of Tarsus, who began the day breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples and ended the day a Christian (Acts 9:1-8)." In fact, all believers were once enemies of God (Romans 5:10). My commentary continues: "[u]ntil the violent are converted, God must protect his beloved people from the storm of their vicious attacks, so verses 4-5 depict the refuge God is from their onslaught. The delight of his people comes when God at last stills the song of the violent by either converting them or crushing them, as he does at the end of [Isaiah 25]." These early verses in Isaiah represent a great example of how believers gain peace knowing that that the forces of this world (Satan) are no match for the King of Kings!

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My Prayer: You are indeed an awesome God whose plans are perfect and who protects and rescues the faithful from Satan from the dark forces of this world, providing salvation and victory over sin and death - glorious indeed!  I am not deserving of such blessings...my sin - of worldly distractions, etc. - 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.

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.

Revelation 8:2-11:19

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. Revelation 9:3-5

I continued with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 8:2-11:19, and for today my focus is on Satan and how, although he has much power and influence, he is under God and cannot do anything that God does not allow. God reigns and has providence over all, including Satan.  In Revelation 9:3-5, after the fifth trumpet is blown, we see locusts arise from the abyss.  God gave them power to torment non-believers only and they only had power to torment, not to kill. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for protection from Satan and sin - I know that You have already defeated sin and death and You give me the power to protect myself from temptation and sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great - worry, etc. - and it is 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.

And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Matthew 8

And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8:29

Tonight, I pause on both of my studies in Isaiah and Revelation to listen to John Piper's daily devotion for today - Solid Joys.  Here, Piper wants us to see how God is not waiting for the end times (Revelation) to defeat Satan - instead He is fighting know to win souls for His kingdom now and believers play a role of course!  Piper describes how in Matthew, Satan's minions (demons) want to know why Jesus seeks to torment them before the appointed time (end times).  Piper writes that believers should be encouraged to take on Satan before the appointed time: "[t]he resulting wartime mentality is this: Since Satan’s doom is sure, and he knows it, we can always remind him of it when he tempts us to follow him. We can laugh and say, “You’re out of your mind. Who wants to join forces with a loser?!”  Piper wants to be certain that we are aware of who we (not just us but the church) are up against (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2), and that it is not safe work but thrilling and we are on the victorious side!  Piper wraps up the post with: "[i]t is not safe. But it is thrilling. Many lives are lost. Satan’s forces are ever on the lookout for our subversive activity. Christ has guaranteed resurrection for all who fight to the death. But he has not guaranteed comfort, or acceptance from the world, or prosperity in enemy territory."  Encouraging words indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - I know You love me and You help me defeat temptation and sin...thank You Jesus! I am grateful for being on the victorious side - thank You!  Yet I am not deserving.  My sin continues - worry and anger, 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.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Isaiah 13-14

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

I continue with my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 6, Day 5 (self-study of commentary day), the focus looks back on Lesson 6 (Isaiah 13-14), and it once again remains on the role and fate of Babylon, not just during Isaiah's time, but also during end times as portrayed in the book of Revelation. A brief review of the rise and fall of Babylon indicates that "[a]lthough the fall of Babylon marked the end of political rule of Babylonian rulers, much of the Babylonian culture, its pagan religions, and its ideology were continued in the kingdoms which followed."  Building on my post yesterday, most would agree that Babylon represents Satan and sin in a fallen world, so we see Babylon also playing a role in end times where Babylon is referred to in Revelation and Christ defeats Satan for eternity.  Clearly, whether it is during ancient times or current times, Babylon represents the pervasiveness of sin and a challenge for believers: how can we remain faithful when the world around us is so deeply sinful - it can be discouraging for sure! This post from DesiringGod.com helps I believe by framing the question around how and where do I draw the line when I get pushed to exalt man or the world above God?  

Key of course is daily study and prayer with God where we allow the sanctification process to work - we are transformed by "renewal of the mind."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I am grateful for how You give me victory of sin and death as sin is pervasive and I know the sanctification process works in my life - thank You Jesus!  Yet I know there is more work in me to do - please keep going and help me submit!  I am not deserving that You made me one of Your elect, justified me, etc.  My sin continues...anger, worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Chapter 19: Pages 262-270, 2 Corinthians 12

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 3 "Providence Over Satan and Demons" - moving to chapter nineteen "The Ongoing Existence of Demons". 

Here, Piper intends to explain how, even though God is sovereign over Satan and evil and ultimately defeats Satan, there must be some reason why Satan continues to exist - essentially we must answer the question "why God permits Satan to go on living?" Piper believes that although he does not see an answer to this question directly in scripture, he does see "pointers".  He shares that God is working to defeat Satan "not with one initial blow" but through four processes: (1) showing, (2) suffering, (3) using Satan himself against himself, (4) savoring. 

Among these processes, for me this morning, (3) and (4) are key and Piper's use of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" demonstrate how Satan tormented him, but how this was used by God to keep Paul humble.  Piper writes: "[i]n ways that exceed our full comprehension, God is able to harness Satan's hatred of Paul and make it serve God's own purposes of Paul's humility and joy."

Piper then goes on to demonstrate for me the knockout blow to Satan in how "savoring" is used to defeat Satan.  Piper writes that "God allows Satan to exist and bring short term harm on God's people.  It becomes an occasion not only to show the greater glory of Christ's wisdom and power and worth, but also to show the superior satisfaction that this glory gives his people compared to what Satan can give....God intends for Satan to be defeated in this age not merely by showing him to be weaker than Christ, but also by showing him to be less savory than Christ - less desirable, less satisfying."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your design and Your ways are incredible and I am renewed each day with Your love, compassion, and mercy for me - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and mercy.  I worry to much and I am harsh with my words and actions.  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.