He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

 John 1:35-42

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). John 1:41

I continue my study of John, and today, I outline and unpack John 1:35-42 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

Main point: Jesus is the Messiah, He takes away sin, and for those who follow Him, He offers eternal fellowship and Truth.   

1. Jesus takes away sin - v35
2. Jesus is Truth - v38
3. Jesus offers eternal fellowship - v39
4. Jesus is the Messiah - v41 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is once again called by John - accurately - the Lamb of God.  Jesus is the perfect spotless lamb - the final sacrifice who will atone for (take away) the sins of the world - v36 (see also v29); Jesus gains His first disciples - two who followers of Jesus now followed Him - v37; Jesus is interested in what people seek - He wants people to seek Truth (Him) - v38; the two new disciples refer to Jesus as Rabbi (Teacher) - v38; Jesus invites the two new disciples to stay with Him for the day as Jesus seeks fellowship with us - v39; Jesus is referred to as the Messiah (Christ) by Andrew - v41; Jesus calls Simon Peter (Andrew's brother) Peter - v42.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Two of Jesus' first disciples are former disciples of John the Baptist but now follow Jesus - vv35-37 - reinforcing that Jesus is more important (ranking before) than John (see also v30); the two new disciples of Jesus seek teaching from Jesus - v38; they stay with Jesus at His invitation, they seek fellowship with Him - v39; one of the new disciples was Andrew - who was Simon Peter's brother - v40; Andrew correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah (Christ) - v41; Andrew brings Simon Peter to Jesus and Jesus tells him that going forward he will be called Peter - v42. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should correctly identify Jesus as the Messiah - Christ; He is also our Teacher as He is the Word (John 1:1) and Truth. We should follow Jesus and seek fellowship with Him.  

Comment and discuss this post

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

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

 Mark 1:9-13

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Mark 1:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  This morning, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:9-13 - the text covered by the next chapter of my commentary.  The text broadly describes Jesus's baptism by John (vv9-11) and the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness (vv12-13) - also described in Matthew 3-4, Luke 3-4, and to a certain extent (only the baptism) in John 1.  Although Mark's account of Jesus' temptation by Satan is the shortest, with fewer details, Mark 1:13 strikes me as it also appears in Matthew's account in Matthew 4:11.  In Mark, the timing of when "angels were ministering to [Jesus]" occurs earlier then in Matthew.  Regardless of timing, both Mark and Matthew felt it was important for readers to understand this detail that Jesus had a need - Jesus was suffering.  He was alone in the wilderness, with wild animals, and he was hungry and afraid.  God sent His Son to die on the cross as the sinless, spotless Lamb of God so that those who believe in Him can have salvation and the blessings of a transformed heart and life.  During His ministry on earth, Jesus experienced what we as believers experience, including fear, temptation, loss, pain, etc.  He not only lived a sinless life, He experienced the suffering (and then some!) we encounter in our lives.  Hebrews 4:15-16 is instructive here: "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."  Draw near to Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are awesome God who sympathizes with all of my circumstances, and I always have You where I can cast my cares and anxieties.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation and how You allow me to cast my cares and anxieties on 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.       

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.

Zechariah 14:1-3

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. Zechariah 14:2-3

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 14:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text 13:2-14:21 (13:2-9, 14:1-3, 14:4-9, 14:10-21).  Here the commentary depicts the text for this division with the title Satan’s Gruesome Attack on Jerusalem.  It then shares how the text provides a glimpse of what will happen to Jerusalem at the Battle of Armageddon during end times (see Revelation 16:16 and 19:11-20), describing the scene: "[t]he intent of this worldwide attack will be to impose satanic authority on Jerusalem and to subdue God’s people completely."  The commentary then emphasizes how at that point God steps in to finally defeat Satan. We are reminded that our safety and refuge "does not depend on our distance from danger...[but instead] on our nearness to God," implying that is where our focus should be.  God is always with us and He will help us overcome anything the world will ever throw at us - He will save us and we will overcome (see John 16:33). God promises to remain near to those who remain near to Him (spending time with Him in scripture study, prayer, etc.) - see Jeremiah 29:13.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and my Savior.  I am SO grateful for the amazing grace You pour out for me every day.  You save and You are saving a place for me in Heaven and oh what a glorious place it will be.  I am not deserving of how You save and how You protect, etc.  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.

...God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 45 and 50

...God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 45:7, 50:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 (at the same time my church is looking at these very chapters).  Here in the devotion, John Piper seeks for us to model Joseph and grow in our patience through "faith in the sovereign, future grace of God."  Most believers are likely to know the story of Joseph well, yet all of us have needs to stretch and grow in some areas as I do in patience.  Piper wants us to see how God is always at work, and working in the "unplanned places" and "unplanned paces" of our lives - including those that are painful to endure. He sees these as "key to our patience."  God please help me take this to heart!

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 and You are always working!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You work.  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.

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

Daniel 3

 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Daniel 3:18

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 3 as I lean on a commentary for its observations of this chapter.  Of course, the key theme of this chapter is how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago hold firm to their faith, and demonstrate supernatural courage to deny the proclamation that upon hearing the associated music, all shall fall down and worship the image of gold set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.  The commentary notes how, although at the end of chapter two Nebuchadnezzar praises God, such praise was "a shallow and surface praise."  It also notes how Daniel's interpretation of the dream included a vision of how Nebuchadnezzar represented the head of statue and was gold, and how in chapter 3 the commentary notes that Nebuchadnezzar "suggests that Nebuchadnezzar did not accept God’s will that he was only the head of gold and a temporary king. He wanted it all; therefore, he set up a great gold statue ninety feet high by nine feet wide, gold plated from head to toe (v. 1)." The commentary then pivots to the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago to withstand the temptation to worship idols, even when such temptation puts our lives at risk. It shares: "It takes courage not to compromise, and your mind needs to be made up before the pressure comes. If you wait until “the moment of truth,” you may find out it is too late." The commentary then discusses how the fourth man in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago was a "preincarnate appearance of the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God. The Lord was in there with them. The God who did not deliver them from the fire was the God who met them in the fire and delivered them out of the fire!" We are encouraged to see how in the Bible, it is clear how God never leaves or forsakes us: Exodus 3:6,12; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 13:5; and 1 Peter 4:12-14. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:10-11

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 23 of Advent, and today John Piper looks at how God reconciles us to Himself through Jesus Christ.  Believers know that reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel.  We all sin, sin separates us from Christ, but Christ died to forgive our sins - forever - so that believers could have life now in abundance, and forever with Him in Heaven (John 3:16-18, 10:10)...with Christ now in our hearts, God is with us...always (Matthew 28:20) - Emmanuel.  Piper describes how Christ purchased this reconciliation for us, how Christ enabled us to receive this reconciliation, and finally, how Christ came into the world as flesh (see also post from 2 days ago on incarnation) so that we can exalt and worship Him.  Piper wraps the devotion today by exhorting us to respond: "Exult in [Christ]. Experience him as your pleasure. Know him as your treasure."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who purchased my reconciliation, who enabled me to receive it, and You give me Yourself so that I can exalt and worship You - and I know this is why I exist.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and gifts.  My sin is great and it 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 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.

Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

 Leviticus 6-7

Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. Leviticus 6:13

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter seven - Serving God in God's Way - covering Leviticus 6:8-7:38, looking specifically at the theme - We Depend on God's Presence. Here, the commentary points out what anyone who has read the previous chapters of Leviticus would already notice - that it seems that God is simply repeating his law for the various offerings described in previous chapters (burnt, grain, fellowship, sin, restitution offerings).  Yet the commentary urges us to slow down and pay attention to the details - to read the Bible with what John Piper refers to as "aggressive attentiveness." Of course, if we do this here in Leviticus 6:8-7:38 we can see new, previously undisclosed details of God's law not mentioned in previous scripture. As I begin this chapter of the commentary, I am urged to, as the title of the chapter in the commentary states, "serve God in God's Way," not in my way and not to accomplish via human means what only God can do. 

The commentary provides three takeaways for today, using three subheadings, with the first being "The Perpetual Fire Reminded the People of Their Access to God's Presence."  We are pointed to the text where it says three times in v6:9,12, and 13 that the fire on the altar must not go out - it must continue burning. We are reminded that no matter what the circumstances, including pain and suffering, that God is always with us.  The commentary uses Jeremiah 1:8 and of course Matthew 28:20 as examples of God's promise that He is always with us.  

The next takeaway (subheading) is "The Perpetual Fire Reminded the People of the Availability of Atonement." With the fire always burning, regardless of where the temple exists, the presence of light and fire served as an encouragement that God is never "Closed for Business", but instead atonement is not only available for everyone, but at any time.

The final takeaway (subheading) is "The Perpetual Fire Reminded the People of the Activity of God Among Them." The commentary states how "God gave these laws concerning how these sacrifices [Old Testament sacrificial system] would be offered before the first sacrifice was offered." It points us to Leviticus 9:24 where it states how "[f]ire came [out] from the Lord."  The commentary further points out fire repeatedly in scripture represents God's activity - examples including the burning bush (Exodus 3), and how God led the Israelites out of Egypt by a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22).

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me, who never leaves or forsakes me, is always available for atonement, and is always at work...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...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.

 

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Hebrews 6:13-10:18

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. Hebrews 7:26-27

Day 358 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 further into the New Testament - today I continue with the book of Hebrews. Today's scripture reading has the author describing Christ as a perfect priest, and the superiority of Christ's covenant and sacrifice. 

As I posted yesterday, we have a God and a Great High Priest who can empathize with us and He is approachable - He wants a relationship with us.  Today's scripture includes verses that strengthen and re-emphasize these points by highlighting how God meets our needs.   This post from DesiringGod.com provides additional commentary using these verses from Hebrews and other scriptures.  

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

 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always near to me, always available to me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of a God who loves me as You do.  I often neglect my relationship with You or fail to place You as a priority in my life - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:21-8

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Day 340 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 further into the New Testament - this evening the focus is chapters 3:21-8 of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome. Like other entries from my study with this commentary, there is much upon which to reflect.  Paul writes about righteousness from God, how God's promise is for all who have faith, how we have freedom the condemnation and the law, how we have freedom from both sin and death, and how believers experience the Grace of Christ. 

My focus this evening rests on these two great verses at the end of chapter 8 where Paul emphasizes how believers grounded in faith (and the spiritual disciplines of study, prayer, etc.) will always be near to God's love.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome man who loves and who has helped grow my desire and faith in Him. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues, including gossip, hateful talk, 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 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.

But if I say, “I will not mention his [God's] word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot....But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 17:19-20:13

But if I say, “I will not mention his [God's] word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot....But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. Jeremiah 20:9, 11

Day 212 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 with my study of Jeremiah. This morning my reading covers much ground.  My commentary* starts with a description of how God's message to Judah through Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of Sabbath rest (Jeremiah 17:19-27) - see John Piper for more on this.  It then moves to a message (including an illustration) from God to Jeremiah that God is the potter and the heavens and earth are all in His hands - He is in control (Jeremiah 18:1-17). My focus this morning is the remainder of the reading where my commentary* describes how Jeremiah learns of a conspiracy against him (Jeremiah 18:18), and he reacts in anger towards God (Jeremiah 18:19-23). Despite his anger, my commentary points to how "Jeremiah nevertheless continues to take God’s message to the people".  Jeremiah is beaten and imprisoned (Jeremiah 20:1-2), feels* "betrayed" and expresses* "self-pity" (Jeremiah 20:7-10, 14-18). Yet, through it all, Jeremiah cannot help but feel a desire to worship and praise God.

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

I am reminded of how Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin - threatened with arrest and physical harm and death - boldly proclaim: 

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Such is the life of a believer - Genesis 3 promises difficulties for believers and Jesus tells us as much:

“I have told you these things [see John 16 full chapter], so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Yes...life is full of challenges, difficulties, suffering, etc., but Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us and with the Holy Spirit and our salvation, we will endure.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is with me always - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and the salvation and rest only You provide - the greatest gift of all time.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love as 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.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 Isaiah 41-43

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

Day 193 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 with my study of Isaiah. Building on my post yesterday, Isaiah delivers comforting words to Judah who has been taken captive by Babylonia - including a prophecy of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). 

These encouraging words include the below:

“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:11-13

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17

This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:5-7

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:1-7

More than anything this morning I know - we have a God - Jesus Christ - that loves us, is with us, helps us, and will never leave or forsake us!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who helps me, and who will never leave or forsake me - as I know You are with me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving 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.

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.

Joshua 13-17

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.  Joshua 14:13-14

Day 70 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 division of the promised land by tribe with half of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadite settling east of the Jordan, and the remaining 9.5 tribes settling west of the Jordan.

Both Joshua and Caleb are very old at this point (see Joshua 13:1, 14:10) yet at least Caleb feels strong and vigorous at 85 years old.  Caleb remarks how, even at his age he feels strong enough to enter battle, particularly with the Lord on his side (Joshua 14:10-12).

Contrast Caleb with those of Manesseh who are fearful of those in their allotment.

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.  Joshua 14:13-14

The people of Joseph complain in 17:14-16, indicating they do not have enough land and the land is occupied by a strong people.  

But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”  Joshua 17:17:18

Fear and the resulting emotions (worry, etc.) often drive much of our lives but we should gain confidence and peace knowing God is always with us and will help us conquer the battles we face - we don't know the ultimate outcome of the battles we face but we DO know that one way or another God wins and we get the benefit - victory over the sting of sin and death.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know that You are always with me, fighting on my behalf and giving me victory over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I DO 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.

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Deuteronomy 31-32:47

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-47 

Day 65 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 transition of Israel's leadership from Moses to Joshua, and God reveals to both leaders that He knows that Israel will not obey the laws and regulations outlined by God through Moses.

A few things to note about this transition to Joshua.  The exact words God speaks to both Moses and Joshua (and to the Israelites) is repeated 11 times in the OT in both Deuteronomy and Joshua.  These words are often included with an encouragement that God is with us.

Believers know that Jesus is with us (or Immanuel as stated in Matthew 1:23), represented by the Holy Spirit, the Word, and through the church body.  We CAN be strong and courageous BECAUSE God is with and for us!

Also, while we may not have to focus on the ceremonial law, Jesus does promise trouble for believers.  Yet we can "take heart" because Jesus has "overcome":

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Finally, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus promises abundance for believers - this is not an earthly abundance but a supernatural abundance that believers should come to understand and appreciate with nearness to God and a closer relationship with Jesus.  See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who I know is always with me and provides an abundance that transcends anything we can appreciate from an earthly perspective.  Thank You Jesus for giving me life "to the full".  I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  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.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. v8

As Paul begins to wind down his final words to Timothy, he focuses once again on the final days (v3-4) and how Timothy (we) is (are) to "keep [our] head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of [our] ministry." (v5)

Our circumstances and the world around us will continue to change and often be very difficult, but God does not change, He is always with us and our focus should not change which is to glorify God and do so until we meet Him in Heaven.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who is my rock, will never leave me and is SO full of grace, compassion, etc.  I cannot exist without You - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a God.  I am harsh with my words and thoughts.  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.

Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

John 7

Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” v33-34

In v25-52, as Jesus continues to teach during the Festival of the Tabernacles (one week), there is division over who Jesus is and attempts are made by some of the crowd (implied the Jewish leaders, elders, chief priests, etc.) to seize Jesus.  What everyone in the story cannot understand is that Jesus is following God's plan for His life and there appointed times for everything that is to unfold, including Jesus' ultimate arrest and crucifixion.  Jesus is telling everyone that He will be going to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God but the time for this to occur has not arrived (v30, v44).  There was ample opportunity for Jesus to be arrested as Jesus was not armed (see also v45-52) but it was not the right time.

God is in control.

John Piper does an excellent job explaining the role of free will (a very difficult topic in the context of the Bible) and he encourages us to focus not on the mystery of free will but on our relationship with Him and what we can understand with greater certainty - God loves us, He is always with us, God's promises, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - I KNOW You love me, You are always with me, and Your promises always come true!  Thank You Jesus for being my God and for adopting me into Your family.  I love You.  I am undeserving of such love and grace.  I sin far too often.  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. 

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

John 5

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” v14

Clearly, Jesus' healing of the man at the pool is yet another remarkable example of Jesus' compassion and love for all - and of course a miracle.  The most striking thing about this story is Jesus' reaction to the man when He sees the man later at the temple after healing him.  Jesus warns the man to stop sinning.

We must avoid sin - including sins of omission and commission (more on this distinction here).

MacArthur writes that Jesus' warns us not just about the "inevitable [eternal] consequences of sin" (Galatians 6:7-8) but that we also face consequences during our earthly life. "Although not all disease is a consequence of sin (John 9:1-3, Luke 13:1-5), illness at times may be directly tied into one's moral condition (1 Corinthians 11:29, James 5:15)."  

Before we read too much into whether our own current predicaments are the result of sin or not, we must above all know that God loves each of us and He desires a relationship with us.  Sometimes God brings us to a place where we have nowhere else to go but to Him before we surrender our lives to Him.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I have seen You with me in all times - including during times of great difficulty.  Thank You for always loving me and for always being with me.  I am undeserving of such a God.  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, apply, and be obedient to Your message today and every day.

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

Luke 8

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” v49

We all, from time to time, want to throw in the towel with regards to our faith.  Yet this story (v40-42,49-56) reminds us that Jesus will meet us where we are at to encourage us to keep going and believe. I am also reminded of the story of Job, who never lost faith but whose faith was refined.

See also this post from John Piper.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is always there and always encouraging me through good and bad times! Thank You Jesus - I am undeserving of such a God.  I daily miss the mark and I am often distracted by worry and cares of this world.  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 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.

He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the people of his inheritance—the Lord Almighty is his name.

Jeremiah 10

He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the people of his inheritance—the Lord Almighty is his name. v16

God is admonishing the Israelites - and us as well - for our focus on the idols we make, including the energy we expend to create and tend to these idols.  We are commanded to love God and love others as He loves us (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:27-40, John 13:34) - yet, speaking for myself, I know I cannot do this without God and so I am driven into His arms to give me faith (Ephesians 2:8).  Romans 12:2 comes to mind as I must be transformed by the renewing of the mind.

I am thankful for a God who provided not just His Son, but also the Holy Spirit, and His Word - and that God never leaves or forsakes me.

Without a doubt, there is no god like the One True God - Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great god, the One True God - there is none like You.  I cannot live without You.  Thank You that You give me life - to the full!  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.  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.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. v8

Isaiah warns Hezekiah of hard times to come in his kingdom (see Isaiah 39:5-7) - such hard times befall all of us (see last post and John 16:33) and too often we look to the world for our comfort - I know I do.  Yet it is God who will comfort us - and first and foremost we most go to God's Word as his words and their permanence steady us and provide comfort as chaos in the world surround us.

More on God's word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God's whose word lasts forever - thank You Jesus for providing Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word for to save us and to comfort us.  I am not worth such love - as I worry too much and too often.  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 and 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.

Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.

2 Kings 19

Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.  For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. v30-31

Although Assyria has already laid siege to Israel and taken captive its inhabitants, Judah remained, and King Hezekiah "trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. (2 Kings 18:5-6)"

As such King Hezekiah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and with God's strength was able to overcome and defeat the Assyrians (v35-36).

Just because Hezekiah found favor in the eyes of the Lord does not mean that He was any more deserving of God's favor than Israel.  In fact, Hezekiah is sinful and broken just like other great kings (David, Solomon) and like all of us.  Read more about Hezekiah's pride in 2 Chronicles 32.

We should not expect a trouble free life just because we are faithful.  God does not promise a life without trouble - He does promise that He will never leave or forsake us and that we will overcome.


In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God - You have helped overcome many troubles in this world.  I know that You are always with me and You will help me overcome any troubles.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am selfish.  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.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  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.