...[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1-10 

...[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Ephesians 2:1-10 where Paul shares how believers were saved while still an enemy and hostile to Him, and not through our own efforts.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv4-8: God is rich in mercy and He has great love for believers such that despite how we were sinful and an enemy of Him (see also Romans 5:10), He reached down into the pit to save us.  Our salvation (1) includes being raised up with Jesus to be with Him where He is saving a place for us; (2) was done to demonstrate "the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;" (3) was a gift from God; and (4) was done for us to do good works prepared in advance for us that we could (emphasized by repetition of the same description from v7) be the Light of Jesus for others to see.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Before accepting Jesus, all believers were spiritually dead and condemned - slave to sin. This is a horrible state for anyone - and believers should have mercy on those who doubt and seek to snatch them from the fire (Jude 22-23).  
• 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 being dead in your sin - know Jesus and accept Him as Your Lord and Savior.  Claim the promise that God is saving a place for You in Heaven.  Follow the example of Paul who turned from His sin and allowed Christ to work through Him.  Remain humble as you should recognize that faith is a gift from God and to be used for His glory. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is rich in mercy and great love as You saved me while sinful and hostile to Him.  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  I know my faith is not of my own doing and 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.

 

Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Zechariah 4:11-14

Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:11-14

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 4:11-14, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 4:1-14 (4:1-7, 8-10, 11-14).  The commentary provides the following title for this division: God’s Spirit Uses the Unlikeliest People.  It then shares that, "[w]hile the identity of these two men is not explicitly mentioned in this text, the context strongly indicates they must be Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest (Barker, “Zechariah,” 631). Zerubbabel, a member of the line of David, embodies the political leadership of Judah. Joshua the High Priest, whom we met chapter 3 and will meet again in chapter 6, personifies the spiritual leadership of God’s people."  The commentary then pivots to describe both Zerubbabel and Joshua is unlikely candidates to be chosen as "anointed."  Consistent with my previous post, the commentary shares that this is the point of the gospel is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things in this case to rebuild the temple which had been destroyed by Babylonia. The commentary points to other ordinary men in scripture through whom God accomplished great things including Shamgar (Judges 3:31) single-handedly delivered Israel from the Philistines: "[h]e won a great victory by killing 600 Philistines with nothing more than an oxgoad, a stick sharpened at one end to drive along slow-moving oxen."  The commentary then concludes by emphasizing that we should be encouraged by this text to see how God, not through our own strength or capabilities, but through our weaknesses and frailties, accomplishes great things through our daily lives which we should surrender to Him for direction and guidance. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - saving me and blessing me unimaginably!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You made me one of Your elect - I am broken and sinful - yet You made me one of Your elect and use me for Your glory - amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  Again 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. 

P.S.  I "cheated" today by not doing an unassisted review (no commentary) of the text.  I immediately struggled with the two anointed in the text and who they were really wanted to better understand this and leaned on my commentary.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God....And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus[.]

 1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 3

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God....And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus[.] 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17a

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today - as we move close to the start of a new year - encourages believers to not live aimlessly but to live with purpose. John Piper shares: "God’s revealed will for you is that when you get up in the morning, you don’t drift aimlessly through the day letting mere circumstances alone dictate what you do, but that you aim at something — that you focus on a certain kind of purpose."  Piper uses the analogy of leaves blowing randomly across the backyard, pushed around by the wind to describe how God does not want us to live aimlessly.  Piper states that "[i]t is crystal clear in the Bible, including these texts [in 1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 3], that God means for us to aim consciously at something significant in our days." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing: "God did not create humans in his image to be aimless, like lifeless leaves blown around in the backyard of life. He created us to be purposeful — to have a focus and an aim for all our days."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that gives all of His children gifts and talents to be used, shared, and to bring value and good into the world - thank You for how You knit all of us together to share these talents into our various communities at work, at home, church and elsewhere.  You are an awesome God for how You bless us.  Yet I am undeserving 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.  

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

Genesis  34-35

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” Genesis 34:30

Day 15 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 rape of Dinah (daughter of Leah) and the angry revengeful response by two of her brothers (Simeon and Levi); despite all of this God renews His promise to Jacob.

As I posted last week, God works through pain and with family dysfunction and redeems it all.

Once again, we don't know why things happen (particularly bad things) or how God will use our circumstances/pain, or how God will keep a promise, but we know that God is working in everything, He is Good, He has a plan and He is faithful.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and how has worked IN the pain, and with the pain for Your glory and my good...I have experienced this with my own life.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I love You.  I am undeserving of such a God.  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.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. v11

Speaking on discipline, the author of Hebrews wants us to view our circumstances in light of how we have a Heavenly Father that disciplines just as we all had an earthly father that did the same (v4-11).  We should view hardship as discipline (v7) and training and other circumstances as well as discipline and training.  If God has great plans for us, then He should be equipping us for those plans as well should He not?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. v28

Paul wants us to know that everything we experience - the good and the bad - God uses for our good, underscoring that God has a plan for our life...just as it is stated in Jeremiah:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

John Piper believes that "[n]o promise in all the world surpasses the height and breadth and weight of [Romans 8:28]".

We must try and view our life's circumstances through the lens of what God is doing for us, and that He loves us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen in my own life how You have used both good and difficult circumstances for my good and of course for Your glory.  You are good!  I love You Jesus and I am grateful for Your hand in my life.  Yet I am undeserving.  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.

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

John 2

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” v4

God has a plan - He did so when He created the world, when He sent His Son and He has a plan for all of us.  We need to be mindful of this, particularly in the middle of circumstances when we may question whether God exists at all.  When the Jews wandered in the desert in Exodus and found themselves hemmed in by the chasing Egyptians and the Red Sea, they said this: "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?"  

While from time to time it understandable that we doubt God is doing something in our lives, we do need to recognize that God is ALWAYS doing something in our lives and You can be sure it has something to do with bringing Him glory - either through you or in You. This view should make it much easier for You to endure.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] Ecclesiastes 3:1

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I know You are always doing something in my life - thank You for always being with me!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I stress out.  Please forgive me Jesus 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 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 to me today and every day.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens[.]

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] v1

God is in control and He has a plan for all of us.  See my post yesterday and posts here.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:25

 

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

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Proverbs 30

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. v8

There are those days in my life where I feel beaten down and attacked by Satan and my only desire in these moments is to feel the presence of God.  These past couple of days have been like this.  I don't want to worry.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

 

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

 

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

 

I know You love me Jesus - thank You.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has sustained me through dark valleys and difficult times - thank You Jesus.  I know You are always with me and You provide in all circumstances.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I often have too much stress.  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.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. v21

As I look for a job, I constantly think about and often worry what I want - yet I should be focused on God's purpose for my life.

We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done many, many great things in my life and who loves me.  I should not worry about the great plans You have for me - because You do have great plans for me.  Yet often I do worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 106

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. v47

This morning's reading is a splash of cold water on face - an awakening to who I have been. I've been like the Israelites who grumbled and complained as described in this Psalm and who could not wait on the Lord.

God IS at work in our lives every single day and every moment of our lives - He is in control and He love us.

That is why yesterday's post is so important as I must daily be thankful and remember what God has done...for me.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You created the Heavens and Earth and everything that inhabit them, and You created me, knowing everything about me even before I was born...and yet You still came to rescue me, dying on the cross.  You have transformed Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You 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.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. v14

God wants us to be in action and to use our spiritual gifts to the best of our abilities.

 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

 

Yet there are times when God wants us to wait, to trust in Him.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you[.] Isaiah 49:8

 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

 

In our waiting, we can rest in knowing that God loves us, He will never leave or forsake us, and that He has great plans for us - "to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give you hope and a future". 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - You have blessed me beyond what I could ever imagine or deserve.  You are truly a great God and the one and only God for me - I would be lost without You. Thank You Jesus.  Yet, I am undeserving of such a God as You.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalms 8

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? v3-4

Indeed...the God who created the universe, everything in it, and controls all things...loves us...even though we are broken and sinful.  He loves us as His children (Romans 8:16, Ephesians 5:1), created us in His image (Genesis 1:27, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18), and God wants to teach, mold, and refine us to be more like Him.  

God has great plans for us - yet one more aspect of how great God's love is for us.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - even though I am broken and sinful.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards others.  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.

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Job 12

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. v13

In the midst of suffering, it is difficult to see how God is working and what He is up to.  Yet Job understands that despite his anguish, God remains sovereign.  Though we can draw close to God and learn more about Him and His attributes, we will never fully fathom Him.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

God is always at work and in control.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

 
We can take comfort that God works for His glory and our good.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:26-28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You are in control and that You are working for my good - I don't know what You have in store for me but I know that You love me and that You will never stop loving me and You will never leave me.  Thank You Jesus.  I would be lost without You.  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me Jesus.  I worry and am harsh with my words and actions.  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.

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

Judges 6

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” v15-16

The story of Gideon is one with several messages including the message that God is with all of us, including the least of us and even those who commit grave sins (i.e. Moses, Paul, etc.).

God has a plan for all of us, and we can draw encouragement from how He uses all of us for His purpose.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen the work of Your Hands in my life and I am amazed at what You have done...and grateful.  I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  Please forgive me for me worry.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

Exodus 5

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” v22-23

The Lord has a plan - yet often we don't know all of what God's plan is or we don't know what His timing may be.  We may hear from God and feel led to better understand God's plan but it requires patience on our part AND a willingness to engage with God for Him to give us patience and for Him to reveal more of His plan to us.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

 Sometimes we must just have faith.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you[.] Isaiah 49:8

 

See also posts here.  

 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has responded in prayer and delivered blessings beyond my imagination - You are always with me and hear my prayers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I often do not do all that You desire for me.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. v20-21

Genesis 39

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. v20-21

This may not have been the escape Joseph sought when he ran from Potiphar's wife (see post yesterday) yet God has a plan for all of us and it is good (Jeremiah 29:11).  Plus, God's thoughts and ways are not our own - we may not know or understand what He is doing but we can trust in Him.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.     Isaiah 55:8

I've seen how God works (for my good and His glory) in my own life and am amazed.

We know from Genesis 41 that Joseph is put in charge of all of Egypt - God has a plan indeed for Joseph.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God who has a plan - and it is great.  I don't know Your plan but I trust in You.  Thank You for how You have blessed and protected me.  I am not worth such love because I often don't have faith or trust....and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.

Hosea 3

Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes. v1

The Book of Hosea demonstrates:
- that God is fair and just
- that He is full of patience and mercy
- that He has a plan
- that He wants us to love others just as He loves us

God is fair and just in His discipline and punishment of us (Psalm 67:4) - just like the Israelites, we are often unfaithful.  God is full of patience and mercy and He gives us second chances (often many chances to repent) and instead of death (the wages of sin are death - Romans 6:23), we are spared (Jesus takes our place on the cross).  He has a plan for us:

However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9

See also scripture here.

God also wants us to forgive and love others as He loves us.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is fair and just, full of patience and mercy, and You have a great plan for us.  Thank You for all that You have done and all that You are for us.  I love You Jesus.  Thank You for adopting me as Your son.  I am undeserving.  I continue to sin and I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and forgive and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me 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.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. v18

We all need God (Romans 3:23) and we should all develop a desire to be close to Him, under His care and protection.  God provides for all of our needs (Hebrews 1:3) and He has a plan for us, not to harm us but to prosper us, for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  We just need to call on Him - to be our Savior, to forgive our sins, to answer our prayers and shoulder our burdens...for everything.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  That You are near to me when I call - I know this!  Thank You Jesus.  I need You desperately because I am broken without You.  I worry, I am full of anger, selfishness, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. v16

As I posted Tuesday, God knows me far better than I know myself, and any plans I have for myself that are not aligned with Him are futile.  He also has a plan for me that is good.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This plan includes us serving at the mercy of God and for the glory of God.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:1-12

 

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  I know You have a plan for me to prosper, for hope, and a future...a great plan!  You have blessed me already well beyond what I deserve.  You keep all of Your promises!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I continue to 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, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.