The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites, but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, but they shall not go in to look on the holy things even for a moment, lest they die.”

Numbers 4:16-20

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites, but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, but they shall not go in to look on the holy things even for a moment, lest they die.” Numbers 4:17-20

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 4:16-20, where the Lord gives Moses and Aaron instructions for Eleazar to be in charge of the tabernacle and all that is in it, and guidance for treatment of the Kohathites in their role.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Yes God is holy.  There should be no doubt about this.  The text today implies that there should be reverence for God - He is the Name Above Every Name and we should not take His name in vain (see also Exodus 20:7 from the 10 Commandments and this sermon) and we should certainly follow His instructions.  But once again, specifically and explicitly in the text today we are referring to ceremonial law and roles in this context.  The New Covenant based on Jesus' shed blood does away with the ceremonial law and while we should have reverent fear of God (see this post about fear as preservative), we should not fear approaching God is He is our personal Lord and Savior.  God loves us, wants to spend time with us, reveal Himself to us, etc.  He wants us to bring our cares and concerns to Him.  Hebrews 4:14-16 is key. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Each of us have a role to play in the mission He lays before us as individuals, the local church, and the global church.  Obedience to His mission is not burdensome as described in v19 - see also 1 John 5:3.
• 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 carelessly approaching God or misusing His name.  Claim the promise that we can approach God in confidence.  Follow the example of Jesus who did not see obedience to the Father as burdensome.  Fear God (as a preservative) because He is holy.  

Comment and discuss this post

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

But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle....Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

 Numbers 1:47-54

But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle....Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 1:44-46

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 1:47-54, we see God speaking to Moses, sharing with him how the Levites are not part of the census and how they have a special role with regard to the tabernacle.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The Levites were given three commands with regards to the tabernacle (and all of its furnishings and all that belongs to it per v50) (1) to carry it, (2) to take care of it, and (3) to camp around the tabernacle.  The role of the Levites is expanded with commands to setup and take down the tabernacle and to protect Israel from coming too close to the tabernacle lest they suffer the wrath of God.  Outsiders are not allowed near the tabernacle lest they are put to death.  This passage broadly speaks of restrictions God placed on Israel about how the people were to worship Him - see also this sermon on Exodus 19 for similar text. Here in Numbers 1, God places the Levites between Himself and the people of Israel.  Ultimately, as my pastor's sermon lays out, Jesus removes these restrictions for anyone to go to Jesus directly.  See also Hebrews 4:16.     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people of Israel were obedient and they did all that the Lord commanded Moses - v54.  Believers, those who love God (per most important commandment), as a natural response to their love for Him, do not see obedience to Him as a burden (see also 1 John 5:3).    
• 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 placing anything in front of or above God - go to Him first and above anything else - God is our number one priority.  Claim the promise that we can approach Him directly with confidence. Follow the example of those who understand that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."  See obedience as not burdensome. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and there are no restrictions on how and when I can approach You...thank You Jesus that I can approach You in confidence. I am not deserving of how You save and how I can come to You.  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.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #27: To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest.  Here, John Piper highlights how Jesus is not just interceding on our behalf to the Father, but that he is doing so as someone who experienced "a lifetime of temptation climaxing in spectacular abuse and abandonment[, and that] gave Jesus an unparalleled ability to sympathize with tempted and suffering people." Despite how Jesus experienced this level of temptation, He never succumbed to the pressure to sin.  Piper shares that "He knows what it is to be tempted with fullest force."  Hebrews 4:15-16 then shares that, therefore, Jesus is able to sympathize with us as we are tempted and we are weak.  This then gives us confidence to approach Him in our time of need to bring Him our cares, concerns, and struggles - He will give us mercy and grace.  Piper concludes the devotion by sharing: "He feels with us, not against us. This awareness of Christ’s sympathy makes us bold to come. He knows our cry. He tasted our struggle. He bids us come with confidence when we feel our need." Rejoice and have confidence in Christ who is able to help us in our time of need!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me Your Son who is able to sympathize with me in my time of need and give me mercy and grace! I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For you have not (emphasis added) come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.

Hebrews 12

For you have not (emphasis added) come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. Hebrews 12:18-19

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:18-24, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text.  Broadly, the commentary's main point is how the text contrasts the Old Covenant made on Mount Sinai with the New Covenant made through Jesus, primarily through the people of Jerusalem - represented eschatologically as Mount Zion or the New Jerusalem.

I. Mount Sinai (12:18-21): The commentary first highlights how the text uses the word "for" to build on the previous text and use it as means to share how believers are to strengthen their hands and weakened knees, and straighten the paths for their feet (see v12-13) by recognizing that they have come to a better mountain - Zion.  In the Old Testament (see Exodus 19-20), Sinai represented [God's] incomparable power, might, and sheer holiness.  Thus, this mountain was a place of awe and terror for Israel. Any animal that touched Sinai was to be stoned (see Exodus 19:12-13, Hebrews 12:20) and the commentary describes this as demonstrat[ing] the costliness of uncleanness in the midst of God’s holy presence.  The command for animals to avoid touching Mount Sinai was used "to show just how incomprehensibly terrifying God’s presence on Sinai was for the people of Israel. It was so fearsome that even Moses was afraid."

II. Mount Zion (12:22-24): The commentary then contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion to underscore the author of Hebrews key point in verse 18 how believers how come to a different mountain - not Mount Sinai.  The commentary shares: "He paints this terrifying picture of Sinai for his readers in order to make the contrast with the radiant, glorious, and gracious new covenant. The awful terror of Sinai, which is not the mount to which we have come, shows the radical mercy of Zion. At Zion God embraces us with his grace and administers to us a covenant where he does not merely write the law on tablets of stone but on the tablets of our hearts." We are reminded that the picture described is of the New Jerusalem - and our experience now is simply a foretaste of heaven, which of course will be glorious. 

Be encouraged that we have such an approachable God who is saving us a place in such a glorious place as Heaven!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are such an awesome God that we can now approach you daily and directly without terror.  Of course we are to fear God and hate sin so as to flee from it but at the same time we know we have a God that washes away our sin and is full of grace and mercies that are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22,24

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:18-24, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, building on verses 12-17, the author of Hebrews describes how believers through Jesus, have come to a better place through a better mediator - than what is described in Old Testament scripture.  In verses 18-21, the author of Hebrews is apparently referencing how God appeared to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai as described in Exodus 19-20.  The scene at Mount Sinai was intended to strike fear in the hearts of the Israelites - to obey.  But we know that obedience through fear ultimately did not work because it is not through our own strength that we obey - it is only through submission to Jesus Christ who works in our heart to bring about a love of God verses love of sin.  Thank You Jesus for being a better mediator and offering a new way to God through Your Son!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good, full of amazing grace, compassion, and mercy...and You give Yourself so that I can approach God with confidence...directly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace and mercy.  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.

By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age).

Hebrews 9

By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). Hebrews 9:8-9

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 9:1-10, specifically on the text of 9:6-10, leaning on my commentary for its observations on the second division entitled "The End of Mediated Access to God".  Here, my commentary focuses on how the work of the high priest during the period of the First Covenant to atone for sins of the people was incomplete - it needed ongoing repetition - every year on the Day of Atonement. As a starting point, the commentary describes the pervasive nature of humanity's sinful nature, including sins of commission (intentionally doing wrong), omission (not doing what God seeks for us to do), and "sins committed in ignorance or unintentionally."  The commentary then points to how in v8-9 the Holy Spirit was pointing to a new way that allowed direct access to God, not relying on a mediator.  It shares: "the Holy Spirit was indicating something through the architecture of the tabernacle: even he was crying out for the day when the final sacrifice would come. As long as there was a curtain between the holy place and the most holy place, the people were not fully in the presence of God. They could not draw near to God with confidence. Thus, the veil between the most holy place and the holy place indicated incompleteness and an inability to approach God." Of course, when Jesus declared that "it is finished" (John 19:30) on the cross, believers in Him, could access God directly as Jesus became the once and for all, final sacrifice for the sins of the people, eliminating the need for repetitive sacrifices tearing down the veil that separated the people from God.  The commentary wraps by describing how Christ's sacrifice on the cross also did something else critical for us: it provided a means for not just ritual and external cleansing of sin, but it provided inner cleansing by giving us God in our hearts.  Praise God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the work You did on the cross, giving me access to You directly and for working in my heart!  I am grateful!  But I also know that I am undeserving.  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.

...[B]ut on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7

 ...[B]ut on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, my focus is on Hebrews 7:11-22, as I lean on my commentary, and how it unpacks the fourth division "A Better Hope in the Perfect Priest," which refers to Hebrews 7:19. This text, and the accompanying commentary draws our attention to how Jesus, vs the Old Testament Levitical priests, is the perfect Great High Priest and how He is able to do what the law never could, nor was it intended to do - He saves. The commentary describes this comparison: "[i]n the old covenant, the law functioned in many ways the Israelites desperately needed, but it could not draw them closer to God. The law exposed the pervasive sinfulness of man and, as a result, the great need for a great Savior. Christ, however, does precisely what the law could never do. He saves. Jesus accomplished our salvation and gave us a new hope—a hope through which we now draw near to God."  Draw near to God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God!  You save - and I am not deserving of my salvation.  Amazing grace indeed!  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.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. I maintain my focus Hebrews 4:14-16, as I move on to what the commentary describes as the third division "Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace," which looks at Hebrews 4:16. The commentary focuses on how this verse builds primarily on the previous verse - v15 where we read how Believers have a Great High Priest - Jesus - who is able to sympathize "with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."  These two attributes of God describe how Jesus is both fully God and fully man (human) - Jesus is both sinless, perfect and holy as God, and at the same as the incarnate Son, He experienced every (text says "in every respect" temptation humanity experiences.  Unfortunately, all of us continue to experience sin and weakness (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  The Good News of Jesus of Christ is that we DO have a great High Priest who allows us anytime to approach Him in our time of need.  The commentary refers us to 1 John 1:9, where states this as a promise that God will always be there for us: "[i]f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Approach God boldly and with confidence!

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

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 4:14-16, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Given how the text starts with "since then," it seems that this text is building upon not just the previous chapter but all of Hebrews up to this point.  In chapters 1-3, and even in chapter 4, Jesus is described as better than angels, Moses, Joshua, and the author of Hebrews explains why Jesus is better. We are now exhorted to "hold fast our confession." What is interesting here is that God knows all of our sin, so the confession is not for God's sake but for our own as we need to understand the depth of our sin, and scripture reading and study enables this to happen (per v12-13).  Once we begin (this is a journey) to understand the depth and breadth of our sin, we can begin (also a journey) to understand the depth and breadth of God's grace and love for us.  The text today should be taken as an incredible encouragement because of how Jesus is described as not just our Lord and Savior, but also as the incarnate Son who experienced all (note the words "who in every respect") of how humanity is tempted, giving Him the ability to sympathize with us, while at the same time, He is able to dispense grace and mercy.  We CAN and SHOULD approach Him with confidence to seek and receive grace and mercy, including for our own salvation.

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

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

Proverbs 8

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:26-27

I continued my study of Proverbs, moving deeper into chapter 8. Today, the questions of my study focus one how wisdom is an attribute of God, how wisdom (God's Word) is more valuable than any earthly treasure, and how humility and a desire to please God drive us into His arms to seek Him and His wisdom. The commentary for this chapter of my study includes thoughts on how God offers wisdom to the undeserving, rewards and blessings for those who seek wisdom, and life and favor to those who find God.  The commentary also includes a discussion of how gates, throughout scripture, served to separated those who believe in God and those who do not. John Piper reminds us how, with Christ, we have direct access to the Father - what a comfort and encouragement!  Be encouraged!  Go to God in prayer!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great - gossip, etc. and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

John 16

In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:26-27

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on what Piper sees as an encouragement for us to "go to God directly" or to not see Jesus as "more of a mediator than He is." We have access to Jesus directly and we are exhorted to see this as astonishing. This should give any believer "confidence" to approach God (Hebrews 4:16). Today's verses are indeed an encouragement for us to develop a deep and permanent relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  He indeed loves and He wants to spend time with us...He also wants us to approach Him anytime.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God that we can approach with confidence anytime - You desire a deep and personal relationship with us and seek us daily - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a Savior.  My sin is great and it is daily - worry, selfishness, 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.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-11

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued my study of chapter six The Blessings of Justification By Faith, which covers Romans 5:1-11.  My focus today is Romans 5:2. As a result of our justification by faith we have a blessing of grace. My commentary refers to this grace as having a "warm relationship to God" and favor with Him. We are also encouraged to see how we are to "stand" in this grace and to live out this grace-based relationship daily. Scripture uses the word "access" and my commentary highlights use of this word to discuss how believers are children of God, that we depend on Him, and we can go to Him for all our needs big and small.  My commentary writes: this grace "should prompt praise and communion with God.  We can go to our Father all the time with our worries, problems, concerns, and fears and present them to him, knowing that he not only hears us but also welcomes us."

Comment and discuss this post here.

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

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:48-34

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Day 66 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 Moses final moments before He dies - He is allowed from on high to gaze over and view the Promised Land (but not allowed to enter), and he performs a blessing to the Israelites, offering words of great encouragement.  Moses then dies and we have this incredible epitaph capturing his life.

Contained within the epitaph are these wonderful words that "the Lord knew [Moses] face to face".  The Israelites feared God (we all should) and did not want to interact directly with God - instead they requested Moses do this on their behalf (see Exodus 20:18-19).  Yet while we should fear God, we should come to know God as personal, approachable and full of love, compassion and mercy for us - He loves us just as any father loves their children.  John Piper offers this great short interview on this question - he also offers this post - in this latter post Piper writes that "God is ten thousand times better than any good father".  As such, we should desire to develop a daily, lifelong, and personal relationship with Jesus whereby we read, study, and reflect on Him and we offer praise and prayer to Him.  He is our heavenly Father and High Priest.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my heavenly Father and I know I can approach You with confidence - Yes, I DO fear You, but more importantly I love You and I desire to grow in my relationship with You such that I can please and honor You with my life.  I am completely undeserving of Your love and grace.  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.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. v12

In the Old Testament, God is the God of all but He reveals himself only through the high priests (Levites, Aaron and his sons), prophets and in specific places He designates (Tent of Meeting).  Through Christ and the Holy Spirit we have a God that all can meet with personally and as Paul says we can approach Him with "freedom and confidence".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all powerful, all knowing, creator of all things - yet You love me despite my brokenness, and You make yourself available to me and all of Your children at any time - we just need to call out Your name.  How great You are!  Thank You that You are so available to us Jesus!  I am not worth such a God...I am selfish, lazy, disobedient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Please help me grow in my faith in You Jesus. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.