When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Jonah 3 

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. Jonah 3:10

I continue my study in Jonah to supplement my church's current sermon series in this book.  In the text today, God gives Jonah a second chance to complete his mission to preach to Nineveh, and the city does. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V1: God gives Jonah (and us) second (and third, etc.) chances - He is a God of grace who forgives.  Yet He does not forget our sin - we may still have consequences but we are not slaves to sin nor do we get what we deserve - which is death (Romans 6:23).  He also does not let us off the hook for the mission He gives us - in v2 God gives Jonah the same mission as He did in 1:2.  V10: God responds to the king and the people of Nineveh and how they repented of their sin and believed and He withheld the punishment they deserved - again death.  God is full of grace!
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V3: This time, Jonah did the mission "according to the word of the LORD."  In v5, God's message through Jonah moves the people of Nineveh to believe.  The word and faith even reached the king - vv6-9.  God's Word is for everyone - we are all the same in terms of our sin and need for a Savior.  While the king speculates that God might work to "turn from his fierce anger [so that the people of Nineveh] may not perish," we should not doubt God's sovereignty.  He is in complete control of all Creation, including earthly authorities He places above us.    
• 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 rebellion and when He calls you, say yes to the mission He gives you - do it according to His Word.  Claim the promise of grace that is offered by God and repent and believe and see God work in your life to transform Your heart and life.  Follow the example of Jonah to repent and seek Him.  Serve God and His mission and know that He will never leave or forsake you and will equip you for the mission He gives you.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God whose mercies never cease and are new every morning - what incredible grace You offer.  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  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 a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

Mark 9:1-13

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark 9:7

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 9:1-13, 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 is patient with Peter, James, and John, even dealing with their peculiarities (v6) as they - as do all the disciples - struggle to comprehend who Jesus is.  Jesus here - via special revelation - reveals more about Himself to three of the disciples.  Each have a special place in the Bible and church history and God seeks to build them up as leaders of His church by equipping them with what they need to know about Him and giving them confidence and encouragement to perform their roles. Peter will be the foundation of the church (as well as Paul).  Click here and here for how God selected James and John (together with Peter) and for how He equipped them.  The Transfiguration highlights one of Jesus' attributes as Holy and perfect - v3.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Our experiences of Jesus often terrify us (v6) - by witnessing His awesome power.  We should live in reverent fear of who God is, and this should drive us into Jesus' arms.  See this post from John Piper who refers to this reverent fear as a "preservative" that keeps us close to Him and prevents us from falling away. 
• 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 listen to Jesus - see v7. We must also suffer as Jesus shares He will (and does) - vv12-13.  Paul comforts us by sharing that to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). We are to become Holy because He is holy (see also text here).   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word, creation, etc.  I am not deserving of how You save and reveal Yourself to me - softening my heart to be saved. Thank You Jesus. But I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Mark 6:7-13

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Mark 6:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the second (of four) division (vv8-9): 

• The title for the first division is "Go Mean and Lean with Nothing Nonessential."
• "To be effective in God’s work, we must do what we do unencumbered, with no excess baggage that could impede our mission. Further, we must go in radical faith and dependence on our God." 
•  "The four items required of the Twelve are identical to what God told the Hebrews to take on their flight from Egypt (Exodus 12:11)." 
• The commentary details the parallels between the Old Testament exodus and how Jesus sends out The Twelve under the authority of the new and greater Moses (see also Hebrews 3:1-6).  
• Dependence on Jesus for all things is emphasized, particularly in the mission field.

For believers, God calls upon us constantly and fear and anxiety often accompany such calls - to step into the unknown.  God called Moses in Exodus 3 to rescue Israel from bondage.  This triggered much fear and anxiety in Moses, and God quelled this fear and anxiety, speaking to Moses and revealing His plan for this effort in Exodus 3:15-22, and sharing how Aaron will be his helper in this mission in Exodus 4:1-17.  God gives all believers a role in the Great Commission and we should lean on Him in prayer, etc. to equip us and to give us courage to step out into these roles. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - You saved me while still sinning and an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You save, equip, provide, and lead in the roles You design for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:11-13

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 6:7-13, 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?: God both calls and sends (v7), implying that God gives us something to do and a place where we are to go.  The sending is a mission function in that we are called to serve a specific community often first by traveling to this community. God also equips in that He gives us power (v7) and we should trust that He provides as we serve (vv8-9). We are reminded that it is God alone that softens hearts and saves - we share the gospel, and He saves (v11).    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There are those who have not and will not receive the gospel and repent - we should continue to share, but move on from those who do not repent (v11).    
• 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 are to listen for God's call and to go where He wants us to go.  God gives us power as He works through us and in the same way, He provides.  As we serve, we can trust in Him to work in and through us and to provide.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that loves and saves.  You saved me, of course while still sinning and an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of 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. 

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Zechariah 4:1-7

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zechariah 4:6-7

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 a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 4:1-7, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 4:1-14 (4:1-7, 8-10, 11-14).  Here, I find myself grateful that I have my commentary available to me as it provides a more learned viewpoint on the text vs one that I possess without the commentary.  My reading yesterday of the text suggested a messianic prophecy, which the commentary does not directly see.  Of course the Holy Spirit - representing one person of the Trinity which contains Jesus - is a primary actor in the text.  However, per the commentary, Jesus is not seen in the text as I saw it yesterday.  The commentary shares how the lampstand "seems to be similar to the one in the tabernacle described in Exodus 25:31-40 or to the 10 lampstands that were in Solomon’s temple as described in 1 Kings 7:49."  The purpose of the bowl, working in conjunction with the olive trees, with the lampstand is to "pour [oil]... down from the... [bowl's] channels into the lamps in an abundant supply. Zechariah also sees olive trees standing on either side of the lampstand, one to the right and other to the left....Instead of requiring human effort to keep the lamps burning, the Lord has provided a perpetual supply of oil.....The golden lampstand symbolizes God’s people, Israel. The oil—produced by the olive trees, supplied by the suspended bowl, and delivered by the 49 channels—represents the work of Holy Spirit, empowering Israel to be a light to the nations, directing them to God.....The vision portrays an endless supply of God’s Spirit, an endless supply of God’s power for His people to accomplish God’s purpose, supplied by God Himself. In the vision the bowl is above the lamp.  This indicates that God’s power is not something that human beings work up. God’s power is something that He sends down. When the channels are open in our lives to receive His Spirit’s power, He is ready to send down everything we need to do His work."  The commentary then pivots to explore v7b where it describes the "mountain" of opposition God's people faced rebuilding God's temple and how contemporary believers face similar opposition in the face of the work God calls them to do.  It shares: "There may be a mountain you have faced for years, just as Zerubbabel faced the mountain of the incomplete temple. Each day of continued opposition and the increasing sense of defeat makes the mountain seem larger and more overwhelming. By now, you may think that you simply will never overcome it. And, in the deepest sense, you are right. You cannot overcome your obstacle. You cannot flatten the mountain on your own. But the Holy Spirit of God can overcome it. He lives inside of you, and He will empower you. The greatest obstacles can be conquered. As you trust in Him, God’s Spirit conquers even the greatest of obstacles." Amen!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who encourages and strengthens me for the role in which You place me - whether that be in my family, in the workplace, or elsewhere.  Thank You for equipping, encouraging, and strengthening me.  I am not deserving of how You bless me. 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.

[Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2

[Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:14

I maintain pause my study of 1 Corinthians and focus on a study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus as part of a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning I read Titus 2 unassisted by any commentary. Here, in v1 and in the remaining verses of chapter 2, Paul pivots from a discussion of qualifications for elders in chapter 1 (and who is not qualified) to how Titus must serve the church in Crete, and how he must watch over his flock, including providing instruction that is both affirmative (encourage) and negative (admonish/rebuke).

• v1 teach what accords with sound doctrine
• v2 older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and in steadfastness
• vv3-5 older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine; they must also teach what is good and train young women to love their husbands and children; to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled
• vv6 younger men must be self-controlled
• vv7-8 Titus himself in all respects should be a model of good works, and in his teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame having nothing evil to say about the church
• v9-10 bondservants (by implication all working people) are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior

Paul then concludes - in vv11-15 with how Titus and the church are equipped for this instruction - it is through the grace of God, how it trains us, and a final emphasis on how Titus must do all these things, including exhortation on what is good and rebuking what is not.  Paul ends with how Titus has authority - so use it and let no one disregard you.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Jesus Christ[,]...gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2

Jesus Christ[,]...gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:13-14

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is once again Titus 2:11-12 - the memory verse for the 1st two weeks of our study - unlike yesterday I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book (Lab) for Titus 2:11-14. First, John Piper shares how the grace of God (v11) trains (v12) us negatively to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions," and positively to "live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives." He then unpacks how the grace of God also gives us an ability to wait for the "blessed hope" (v13) believers have as we trust in the promise that Jesus will return. He then unpacks how God not only gave us grace, but also himself (v14) - Jesus Christ - "to redeem us from all lawlessness [negative] and to purify [positive] for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."  He wraps the lab by describing how God's grace or Christ's self-giving trains us "by producing in us a joyful, confident, hope of glory."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - training me to become more like You and to equip me for Your will for my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace, compassion, training, and equipping - 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.

And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Then he presented Aaron's sons, and Moses put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet.

Leviticus 8

And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Then he presented Aaron's sons, and Moses put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Leviticus 8:23-24

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter eight - Are You Ready to Serve - covering Leviticus 8:1-8:36, looking specifically at the theme - Demonstrate Dedication to Serve.  Here, the commentary focuses on the ordination offering as described in v8:22-29. Specifically, we are referred to v23-24 where Moses puts blood on the ear and toe of Aaron, and he does the same for Aaron's sons. The commentary then uses the colloquialism "from head-to-toe," to show how all of Aaron and his sons were fully dedicated to serve.  We are then referred to the hymn Take My Life, and Let it Be, and also to the Hebrew word translation of ordination as "to fill the hand."  This "filling of the hand" implies how not only God equips us with the tools (spiritual gifts) needed to serve, but also to show us that God gave us hands to serve the church and others (see 1 Corinthians 12, and Galatians 5:13).  We are urged to see that work must be done and believers are not to be idle.  We must not only not be idle, but we must be - just as Jesus was in His ministry as described in the gospel books - dedicated to serve.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me and others with spiritual gifts so that we can serve You and others.  I have been blessed by the spiritual gifts of others - Your design is perfect and awesome! Thank You for the dedication of others to serve. Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of how You bless me - my sin of worry, harsh words, etc. continues.  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 friens 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.

“You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead[.]

Leviticus 8

“You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead[.] Exodus 28:36-38

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter eight - Are You Ready to Serve - covering Leviticus 8:1-8:36, looking specifically at the theme - Commit to a Position of Service. The commentary focuses on the description of the priestly garments Aaron and his sons wore in support of their role.  We are pointed to not just Leviticus 8:5-9, but also Exodus 28:36-38, where more detail is provided. Everything about the details is important and plays a role, including the colors of the garments, which the commentary points out match the colors of the tabernacle to remind us that the priest "goes with" the tabernacle; the twelve gemstones (see Exodus 28:21) that symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel; and the bells around the hem of the garment allow the Israelite congregation to hear the priests as they move about their duties in the tabernacle. The commentary not only emphasizes how Aaron and his sons are dedicated to serve, but it also encourages all believers to serve the Kingdom of God - to use our God-given abilities to glorify Him.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul discusses how "every member of the body is necessary and important...[and] [e]ach has a role to play in the church." 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me through my service in the church!  Thank You Jesus!  You have blessed me and equipped me to serve - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of how You bless me because my sin continues - unintentional sin, arrogance, quick to talk, slow to listen, 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.

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.

Exodus 1-3

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. Exodus 3:2

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I start the story of "Moses: A Glimpse of God's Glory*".

*Title of lesson four from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day one starts with Max Lucado describing a modern day story that resembled Moses' story - it is a story of riches to rags (or one of dashed dreams) similar to Moses' story.  Tragedy strikes everyone in some form or another and Lucado wants us to connect with Moses by seeing how a modern-day version of Moses' story could be anyone.  As Lucado moves from Hank to Moses, we are left with a few questions, including how can God use us when we are so deeply sinful and when we run from God? Moses was also already 80 years old (similar to Abraham and Sarah) - at what point are too old to be used by God?

Lucado points out that there were good reasons why God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt - He knew the people, he had known leadership qualities, wisdom, he knew the land, and he knew who the Israelites would be up against - he once lived in the palace.  Moses also married well - Zipporah was a woman of faith and we learn later in Exodus how Zipporah saved Moses from God's wrath.

Lucado wants us to understand how God uses everything in our lives to equip and prepare us for roles He designs specifically for us.  Even Moses' time in the wilderness leading sheep was used by God as Moses leads the Israelites through the wilderness.  It's also not just actual wildernesses but emotional and spiritual wildernesses that are used. 

Yet even though Moses recognizes God as the one who speaks to him through the burning bush, Moses resists.

We are encouraged to yield to God's will even when it feels scary or beyond or comfort zone - God will equip us as He does Moses.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has restored me MANY times and used all of the good and bad in my life for Your glory and my good.  You have also equipped me for how I serve - thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving of all the ways You bless me and certainly not deserving for the gift of salvation.  My sin continues...including placing my own comfort over priority to serve You.  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.

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 1-3:5

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:6-10

Day 205 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary* shifts to the prophecies of Jeremiah, who is called by God into ministry in 626 B.C. Jeremiah is described as responding to God's calling with "great reluctance": "In fairness to Jeremiah, he may have good reason to be reluctant: At the time of his call he is still a youth, though his exact age is not known. And had he known exactly how much opposition, persecution, and personal rejection he would face over the next 50 years, he would probably have tried to escape his calling, just as Jonah did."

Jeremiah's "mission is to be one of rebuke and judgment [of Judah] on one hand and encouragement on the other. Finally, God promises to be with Jeremiah through the many personal trials he will face....When he begins his ministry, warning against impending national peril, Judah is resting complacently in an unusual period of peace and is soon to experience a brief period of spiritual revival. While Jeremiah is predicting the fall of Jerusalem, the popular message of the priests and false prophets is “peace, peace.” During a period of shifting alliances and great turbulence in the region, "Judah will stand in constant peril, and Jeremiah’s thankless job will be to bring the message of judgment and national vulnerability to a people who do not want to hear it. What an awesome responsibility for this young man from the little town of Anathoth, a few miles northeast of Jerusalem! How amazed he must be to learn that he was chosen for this special mission before he was ever born!"

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

Just as we have seen with other great prophets (Moses, Jonah), God addresses reluctance as He does not allow anything to stand in His way to accomplish His plan including who He plans to use to carry out such plans.  God equips those He calls to serve.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has equipped me in the various roles You have given me as a husband, father, worker, etc.  I know there is more work to do but I have seen the work of Your hands - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of Your love and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I 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.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.... Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

2 Kings 21-23 and 2 Chronicles 33-34

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.... Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. 2 Kings 22:1-2, 2 Chronicles 34:1-2, and 2 Kings 23:25

Day 203 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move from Nahum's  prophecies back to 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles where my commentary* describes how Nineveh falls "[j]ust as Nahum prophesied", how Manasseh's reign comes to and end in Jerusalem, and how his son takes over - does evil in the eyes of the Lord, and is ultimately assassinated. "He is succeeded by Josiah, the most godly king that Judah has ever known. Josiah takes the throne when he is only eight years old and initiates sweeping reforms when he is 16."

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

 

I am reminded this morning how God uses everyone - including the young and those who may feel ordinary. I think of Amos, of the apostles, and even Paul - referred to as a murderer (see Acts 9:1).  There are countless stories, even in modern day, how God uses everyone in for His glory and purpose.  God equips all who serve.  The only requirement is of course is to love God just as Josiah did - with all your heart, soul, and strength.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - I have seen Your hand in my life and in the lives of those around me - extraordinary things through ordinary people.  I am blessed that You would use me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your rich blessings and love.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Chronicles 23-26:11 

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27

Day 105 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David's passing of the kingship to Solomon, and David's initial efforts to organize the Israelites - starting with the Levites - for duties in the temple of the Lord yet to be built.

I am reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 12 regarding how all believers have a role to play in the church.  Urging us to be mindful of how the end is near, Peter echoes Paul's words:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - Jesus - You are an awesome God who has blessed me and given me gifts and I am prayerful that I have been and am a good steward of these gifts.  I've been blessed by others through the exercise of their gifts.  Thank You Jesus for the church and the role it's played to build up and strengthen my faith.  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”...Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well.

Exodus 1-6:27

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”...Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. Exodus 3:14, 4:14

Day 22 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the birth, rise and exile of Moses as prince in Egypt (from humble Hebrew beginnings), and God's call of Moses (and Aaron) to rescue the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.

Moses does not feel equipped to be God's selected deliverer of the Egyptians from bondage.  The conversation at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4) is one of the most prominent in all of the Bible.  The conversation climaxes with God's anger in Exodus 4:14 and it is at this point the Moses appears to relent in his resistance to God's call.  Of course the point is that it is true that WE cannot do what God calls us to do, but that HE can (and will/does).

This is the difference between confidence in self vs confidence in God.

In my own life, I KNOW the power of God - and I, like Peter and John before the Sanhedrin claim:

"As for [me] us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

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

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. v16-17

Paul's closing thoughts to Timothy begin with a warning about persecution and how all believers will face it during their lifetime in some form or another (v12).  Yet he includes several encouragements, including how God has "rescued" Paul from persecution on each occasion (v11).  He then moves on to encourage Timothy to rely on scripture as a source of strength.  As v16-17 indicates, I can unequivocally state in in my own life that scripture is useful and it has equipped me for the circumstances I face, including persecution, my role as a father and husband, and for the good works I pursue in service for Christ.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Acts 8

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. v4

After the stoning of Stephen (see Acts 7), "on that day" all the church except the apostles scattered as a "great persecution" of the church broke out (v1).  In v4 we can assume that many among those scattered included ordinary members of the church who might otherwise not thought of themselves as church leaders but were placed in a position to both preach and lead church.  God allowed or created this church persecution as a means to get the believers out of Jerusalem to share the Good News of Jesus Christ - see also Acts 1:8 where prior to Jesus ascending to Heaven after the resurrection and His appearance to many, He says:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Jesus told the believers what would happen and the persecution and scattering of the church served to get the believers out of Jerusalem to Samaria and Judea.  Nothing can thwart God's plans.

We should also be encouraged that God will equip us for those circumstances and divine appointments where we might not feel equipped to be God's servant.  We are not alone - Moses and others also before us also felt this way and they are proof that God equips those He calls.


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You have equipped me in all ways that I serve - father, husband, worker, etc. Thank You Jesus!  I am blessed!  I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me.  I worry and I have other sin.  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.

 

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now then, hear the word of the Lord.

Amos 7

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’  Now then, hear the word of the Lord. v14-16

Amos intercedes on behalf of Israel and God relents twice. In v14-16, Amos describes to Amaziah how God gave him a job to do....and he did His job delivering God's message of judgement.  Although Amaziah rejects Amos and the message he delivers from God.  However, God proceeds with His judgement and punishment of Israel (v17).

There will be times when God gives us a job to do that is difficult or uncomfortable. We cannot shirk our God given roles and responsibilities.  God helps us do the difficult tasks - He equips us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me great strength, wisdom and energy to help me do things You ask of me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I often fail to do what You ask of me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa 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.

Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that.

Nehemiah 3

Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. v8

Of particular note here is how broadly all those in Jerusalem participated in the rebuilding of the city walls and gates.  Matthew Henry remarks as much.  No job is beneath anyone and Henry notes there is "no strife" among those at work.  Many whose profession did not include building pitched in - as noted here in verse 8 this included both goldsmiths and perfume makers.

We are all called to serve both personally and corporately - as a church.  When we come together as a church it is remarkable how God uses these occasions for others to see God at work.

At my previous church, we served corporately through Southbridge Serves and my current church always does a Christmas concert at a local shopping venue.

We must humble ourselves - serve in any capacity God needs - and allow God to work through us personally and corporately.

^" Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God - able to do amazing things through me and through the church.  Thank You for providing us with a church home that supports our relationship with You - this is a gift from You.  I am not worth such love and such a gift.  I worry - among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 4

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. v29-30

Solomon was not just wise in terms of his ability to synthesize inputs and to solve problems (see the Wise Rulings 1 Kings 3:16-28), but also in his knowledge of worldly matters.

He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.  v32-33

What is interesting here is that Solomon was not born with such wisdom - Solomon ASKED for it (to be equipped as king) and God GAVE it to him.

This is really critical for all of us to understand because all of us struggle from time to time with weighty decisions, and with whether we are equipped to serve in areas where God calls us.

We should understand that if we ask for wisdom and to be equipped He will answer our call.  

There are many examples of how God equips people in the Bible - Moses, Gideon, Jonah, etc. - and how he takes ordinary people who love Him and submit to Him, and He accomplishes amazing and miraculous things through these people.

Praise God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is able to accomplish all things - You are all powerful and yet You came to rescue me.  thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  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 for 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 Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?

Exodus 6

But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me? v30

Even the greatest amongst us have self doubt and fear.  Moses, who in Deuteronomy 34:10-12 is known as only lesser to Jesus himself, had his doubts.  God want us to rest in Him and know that He is with us - He says this to Moses and all of His children.

We can find rest from our concerns, doubts, and fears, in God. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

God will equip us and give us confidence also.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - what an awesome God You are!  In my times of worry, concern, doubt, etc. You have provided rest, confidence, and peace.  Thank You Jesus - thank You for being with me always.  I am not worth such love.  I speak harshly to others and I am selfish.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.