Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and this let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:18-29 

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and this let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28-29

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 12:18-29 - the author pivots from the theme of enduring hardship as discipline from God to a description of the eternal kingdom of Jesus that cannot be shaken.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv18-24: Jesus’ kingdom is contrasted with the presence of God on Mount Sinai where only Moses could ascend the mountain to speak with God, and no one could touch the mountain lest they die.  Jesus’ kingdom is alive and in the “heavenly Jerusalem” with the Father (sitting at the Father’s right hand) where God is “judge of all,” and where believers are glorified and “made perfect.”  Believers are also now brought to Jesus who is the author of a new and better covenant than the one offered at Mount Sinai.   Vv25-27: Those who encounter Jesus and His new kingdom are encouraged to not refuse or deny Him, because we will not escape being shaken and eternally condemned.  Vv27-28: Those who do accept and surrender to Jesus are encouraged to be grateful that we belong to a kingdom that will remain after all else passes away and only the New Jerusalem exists. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv28-29: Believers proper response to belonging to such an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken is to “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”  See also Romans 12:1 where Paul defines believers’ offering of their bodies and lives as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, [as our] spiritual worship.” 
• 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 refusing or denying Jesus and as a result being shaken to the point where you will not remain and instead be eternally condemned. Claim the promise that if you accept and surrender to Jesus, you belong to an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken.  Confess your sin, repent, believe, and remain (abide) in Him. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and whose kingdom cannot be shaken and You are my rock!  Thank You for how You love, save and never change - giving me peace and rest that I can never be separated from Your love.  I am not deserving of how You love, save, and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Mark 12:34

And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:34

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 7: The Poise of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• Poise is defined as "the fine balance of [one's] faculties, the equilibrium of [one's] nature."
• "The average man is one-sided, unsymmetrical, unevenly developed....We are all overdeveloped on one side of our nature and underdeveloped on the other....If we are strong in certain characteristics, we are well-nigh certain to be weak in the opposite characteristics."
  
•  "Every virtue when pushed beyond its appointed limit becomes a vice, and every grace when overdeveloped becomes a defect and disfiguration. Look around upon the men and women that you know, and in how many of them can you say that their disposition is finely balanced?"
  
• "[W]hen we come to Jesus we find ourselves in the presence of a man without a flaw. He was enthusiastic, blazing with enthusiasm, but he never became fanatical. He was emotional, men could feel the throbbing of his heart, but he never became hysterical. He was imaginative, full of poetry and music, seeing pictures everywhere, throwing upon everything he touched a light that never was on land or sea, the inspiration and the poet's dream — but he was never flighty. He was practical, hard-headed, matter of fact, but he was never prosaic, never dull. His life always had in it the glamour of romance. He was courageous but never reckless, prudent but never a coward, unique but not eccentric, sympathetic but never sentimental. Great streams of sympathy flowed from his tender heart toward those who needed sympathy, but at the same time streams of lava flowed from the same heart to scorch and overwhelm the workers of iniquity. He was pious, but there is not a trace about him of sanctimoniousness....He stands in history as the one man beautiful, symmetrical, absolutely perfect."
• "He lived always in a whirlwind, — men bent like reeds around him, — he never so much as wavered....The intellectual athletes of his time tried to trip Him — they never did....After they had done their best they retired vanquished from the field. He remained undisputed conqueror." 
  
•  "Time and again the evil one came to him with a new allurement, but every time he hurled the tempter back by quoting just the passage of Scripture which that temptation needed."
  
• "On the last Tuesday of his life they determined to undo him. All the different parties united their forces and put their heads together and concocted schemes by means of which this young prophet should be brought to prison."  Jesus' response in Mark 12:17 tied the hands of His captors. 
• "It is an interesting fact that notwithstanding Jesus was speaking constantly in public for three years, not one of his enemies was able to catch him in his speech, and when at last they convicted him they had to do it on a trumped-up lie....This also is noteworthy that not one of the enemies of Jesus was able by unfairness or falsehood or hatred to push Jesus into a hasty word or an unrighteous mood. Most men are so poorly balanced you can push them with very little pressure into an unmanly speech, into an unchristian disposition. Jesus was so firmly poised that under the pressure of the most venomous vituperation that has ever been hurled against a man, he stood erect, unmoved, and unmovable. His poise was divine." 
  
• "Because he is so well balanced and so finely poised, each succeeding generation comes back to him for inspiration." 
  
• "There is a grace about him which does not fade, there is a sanity about him which compels respect, there is a charm about him which woos and wins the heart, and we like preceding generations fall down before-him acknowledging that his character is without a flaw and that his life is without a blemish."
  

Jesus' poise and His steadiness of mood calls to mind how Jesus was a rock.  That regardless of what verbal or physical abuse was thrown at Him, He was unmoved from who He is to become something He was not - sinful in His response.  He did not become full of fear when scripture says be courageous or do not be anxious.  He did not lash out with vengeance when He was insulted or beaten - He could have at any moment as He held all of his enemies' lives in His hands.  Scripture tells us to turn the other cheek when our enemies strike us - Jesus never did.  This is clearly an attribute I have never seen from anyone else I have ever met.  Our faith requires us to be unmoved by the vagaries of the world.  Jesus tells us that we can rest knowing that He has already overcome the world - see John 16:33.  We must build our house on the rock - see Matthew 7:24-27.  Rock on!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - You provide Your Word and Your promises which always come true.  You guide and keep me from falling into eternal damnation.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your unchanging nature and Your faithfulness to me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.   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 will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes.

Zechariah 9:1-8

Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes. Zechariah 9:8

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 9:1-8, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 9:1-9:17 (9:1-8, 9-13, 14-17). The commentary starts by sharing how Zechariah chapter 9 and subsequent chapters (14 in all) are forward-looking, providing prophecies of the coming Messiah Jesus.  Today's text begins by describing "the oracle of the word of the Lord," and the commentary shares how this same word is used again in chapters 12-14.  The text prophecies God's judgement on Israel's neighbors and historical enemies that is ultimately delivered through Alexander the Great.  The commentary also notes how God protected Israel from Alexander as he marched to Jerusalem: "God spoke to the high priest in his sleep and told him to decorate the city with wreaths and to have the people of Jerusalem wear white garments, while the priests dressed in their holy robes to welcome Alexander. When Alexander approached the city, he was so impressed by the sight that he prostrated himself and offered sacrifices to the Lord, sparing the city (Josephus, Antiquities, XI, viii.3–5)." The commentary concludes by describing how the prophecy in v8 extends beyond Israel's current predicament (at time of writing), pointing to how Jesus' arrival offers refuge and protection as no other can.  Believers can take comfort in how the victory over sin and death is already won!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Father, You are an awesome God who is my refuge and my rock - I know that I can turn to You in times of trouble and that You are always with me.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You protect and provide refuge.  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.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 3:5-17.  Here, Paul continues to admonish the church in Corinth for its divisions and conflict - with a key challenge being "cult of personality" where believers are incorrectly worshiping teachers and pastors and not God Himself. Paul starts by describing Apollos and himself as servants or instruments of the Lord using the analogy of farming where they are only planting or watering and "God [gives] the growth" (v5-7).  Those who plant and water - and anyone playing a role using spiritual gifts distributed by God - is rewarded by God "according to his labor" (v8). Believers are the workers to build God's temple, some focusing on the foundation, while others build on top of the foundation (v9-10). Paul seeks for all believers to "take care how" the temple is built as we must ensure that Jesus Christ is the foundation (v11). Our relationship with Christ then comes into focus as Paul describes how all believers should strive to build a foundation with Christ as strongly as we can leaning on the Word, the Holy Spirit, etc. to do its sanctification work within us.  Paul warns us that the strength of our relationship will be tested on judgement day (v12-15) and there are some who may perish given a foundation that was never truly built on Jesus Christ (v16-17).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful for how You have drawn me near to build a foundation upon which I am prayerful will stand the test of Judgement Day.  I know there is more work to do but I am thankful for what You have done so far.  I am not deserving of such grace and blessing.  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.

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Isaiah 28-29

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Isaiah 28:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, looking at Isaiah 28-29, I move along to Lesson 11, Day 3, which looks more closely at Isaiah 28:16 and related references in scripture, including:

• Isaiah 8:13-15 > for Jews that did not see Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus became stone of offense, rock of stumbling
  
• Romans 9:33 > NT reference to Isaiah 8:13-15
• Psalm 118:22 >Jesus, the stone the builders rejected became the cornerstone
  
• 1 Peter 2:6-8 >Jesus as cornerstone, whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame
  
• Matthew 21:33-46 > NT reference to Psalm 118:22
  
• Acts 4:8-12 >Jesus as cornerstone, no other name under heaven by which can be saved
  
• Daniel 2:31-45 >kingdoms of this world are all from Christ but will will pass away, God's kingdom will overcome (and destroy earthly kingdoms) all other kingdoms and last forever
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose kingdom will last forever - and You are saving a place for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a blessing.  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.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Samuel 18-22

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "David: Giant Problems and Colossal Collapses*".

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day two starts with Max Lucado discussing how after slaying Goliath and the Philistines, David finds himself favored by both Saul and all of Israel, the latter of whom see David as their new hero.  Saul is increasingly envious and jealous and begins to plot against David.  Yet David, instead of relying on God on first instinct as he did when facing Goliath, David relies on his own strength, and his own fears lead to sinful deception of others and he ultimately goes into hiding. Lucado wants us to see how:

• "After a victory, our enemy will go on the attack and try to bring us to a low place where we doubt the love and provision of God."
• "It is when we find ourselves cut off and in a lonely place that we will be tempted to seek refuge in things other God."
• "When we experience a setback and things are not going as planned, we need to regroup, rediscover our courage, and refocus ourselves on God."
  

Desperation often leads us to seek ungodly refuge.  Yet God wants us to be desperate for Him.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I have felt Your strength during times of difficulty - You protect me and I am grateful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You never leave or forsake me.  I love You.  Yet I am undeserving of Your love for me and how You saved me.  I am harsh with words and actions.  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.

Many are saying about me, “God won’t rescue him.” But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. I can lie down and go to sleep, and I will wake up again, because the Lord gives me strength. Thousands of troops may surround me, but I am not afraid.

Genesis 6-9

Many are saying about me, “God won’t rescue him.” But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. I can lie down and go to sleep, and I will wake up again, because the Lord gives me strength. Thousands of troops may surround me, but I am not afraid. Psalm 3:2-6 (NCV)

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). 

Today I want to focus on how God provides believers with security, refuge and hope and how He wants us to share with others this security, refuge and hope.  When God was to flood the earth, He instructed Noah to build an ark to serve as a means to preserve Noah and his family.  There are many places where people place their security, refuge, and hope: homes, money, jobs, people, government, etc. Yet these things come and go and do not provide spiritual security, refuge and hope; and they do not last, certainly not for eternity.  We all need to place our security, refuge and hope in Jesus Christ so that we can weather the storms and flood in this life, and to provide for our eternal life as we must all be ready for either our own passing or for when Jesus returns both of which we don't know the timing.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:36-39

For those of who have this security, refuge and hope we must give it away to others who need it.  God even helps us with the words to say - straight from scripture.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3 (NIV)

Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you. God’s power protects you through your faith until salvation is shown to you at the end of time. This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time different kinds of troubles may make you sad. 1 Peter 1:4-6 (NCV)

My highlighted verse for today comes from Psalms where David writes about how he feels refuge in God during a period of great fear when he fled from the persecution of his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18).

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You give me security, refuge, and hope - an ark - during times of great turbulence and distress.  You have seen me through periods of great pain.  I am grateful Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving.  I have grave sin in my life and it continues....worry, harshness of others, 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.

For no word from God will ever fail.

Job 38-42

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

Day 260 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 Job as God takes His turn to address Job. Ultimately, Job responds, repents, as does his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.  Job prays to God and is not just simply restored, but God "blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part" (Job 42:12). 

While my commentary* acknowledges the mystery of of why Job suffers as he does, it aptly summarizes key takeaways for us: "[f]irst, although it is not always readily noticeable, the wicked will one day come to judgment. Second, the notion that suffering is always the result of sin is totally destroyed. And finally, man is in no position to justify his own situation by accusing God of injustice. As Job himself points out, these theological niceties are not likely to stop the tears of one who is languishing in captivity, or suffering persecution, or writhing in pain from a cruel disease. But they do challenge God’s people in exile to recognize with humility the sovereignty of God, and to trust that in his wisdom there truly is a time and purpose for all things, including adversity and suffering. Whether or not it is apparent, God is working in the life of each individual, as well as in the lives of nations, to bring his people into a closer relationship with him, and thereby into greater harmony within themselves and with each other."

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

Indeed, Isaiah similarly acknowledges that God's thoughts and ways are a mystery to us.

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

Yet in the midst of mystery, God is a God of promises, of certainty, as He is Our Rock and our firm foundation. John Piper offers this post on how we can know the Gospel is true.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who is always with me, and One who is my firm foundation - my rock.  I know I can build my life and faith on You.  I am grateful for the faith You have provided.  I am not deserving.  My sin continues.  Harsh words, actions, pride, worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help my 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.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. v12-13

My sense is that v13 is more often quoted than v12, yet v12 I believe is equally important because it clarifies and qualifies the basis for the strength found in v13.  Strength is found regardless of circumstances - changing circumstances (health, wealth, etc.) do not result in strength.  Strength is a constant as it comes from God - who does not change and who is always with us.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Matthew 24

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. v35

As part of a broader warning about the end of times and false prophets, Jesus warns us of the temporal nature of the things of this world.  Jesus even warns us that some of us will "turn away from the faith and hate [other believers]" (v10).   He also encourages us that if we "stand firm to the end" we will be saved (v13).  

In a world that swirls with chaos, suffering, sin, etc., we must trust and have faith in a God that never changes as He is our rock and firm foundation.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and love NEVER changes - I can trust in You as my rock and firm foundation.  I love You.  Yet I am undeserving of Your 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 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 Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. v19

As I've posted for the past several days, we often question how God could let such wickedness surround us - although we are not to judge we do, and we feel threatened by wickedness and its ability to drag us into sin.  Yet as I posted yesterday, God not only is a righteous judge He protects those strive to live a righteous life.

God is our Rock. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and protects me from sin - thank You Jesus.  Yet I often fall prey to sin - and I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus 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 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.

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.

Hosea 7

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. v11

Unless we have God as our anchor and firm foundation, we will waver and be blown and tossed about from idol to idol.  We want to avoid being just like Ephraim (Israel) and and Judah in the days of Hosea.  

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

With God, we will not waver.  See also the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awe some God who loves me and who provides with a firm foundation upon which I cannot waver - thank You Jesus!  What an amazing God You are!  I am not worth such love and such a God.  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 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.  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.

As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.

Jeremiah 26

As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. v14

Do I have confidence in God's justice, protection, etc.?  Jeremiah does - although just like us he has not always had such confidence in God.  

God describes this confidence earlier in Jeremiah:

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

Peter and John spoke of this confidence as they faced the Sanhedrin:

 

 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20

 

Jesus also spoke of this confidence:

 

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I know You laid down Your life for me, drinking from the cup of wrath for me...and for all of mankind.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such an act and of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses 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.

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

Isaiah 31

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. v31

I too often place my hope in things of this world - my mood is tied to my circumstances.  This I know is not God's desire and it is sinful.  I am to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  I should focus on God is my constant and as my Rock.  On Him I should be building my house.

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:26-27

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is my Rock - while all the world around me swirls in sin and chaos You are there - never changing and always my Refuge.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God...I too often spurn You - please forgive me Jesus!  I thank You for welcoming me back to Your arms and for the many, many second chances.  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.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. v105

It is not definitively agreed upon who the author of this psalm is nor when it was written or the circumstances of the psalm. Yet as with all scripture, it has eternal value as it is God breathed and living.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness[.] 1 Timothy 3:16

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

This morning, I feel desperate for God and His light.  I don't know what the future holds and many days I have concerns about how I can provide for my family - these are of course unfounded as God provides.  Once again I should hold on to what is true and let go of what is going on my mind as many thoughts are directed by Satan who wants to separate me from God.

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who will always be with me - I am 100% certain!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses 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.

Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Esther 10

Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. v3

Mordecai persuaded Esther (Esther 4) to request relief from Haman's edict to have all the Jews killed.  Mordecai is honored for uncovering a plot to kill the king (Esther 6), and Haman suffers the fate (he is impaled) intended for Mordecai (Esther 7).  

There are several lessons here for us.  One is that in the face of danger, we should be strong and courageous - to fight for what we know is right in the eyes of the Lord. God is with us.  Some of us may face physical harm - others emotional harm - regardless, we can rest on Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone, our rock.  Another lesson for us is that we are to serve one another - to work "for the good of [our] people" in ministry.  Acts 2:45 paints a picture of how the early church did this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You give us "one anothers" who we are blessed to serve and who serve us.  You created the church so that we can strengthen and grow together.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses 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 couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Esther 3

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered. v15

This bible overview commentary indicates that Xerxes (also referred to as Ahasuerus) is someone perceived as weak - easily manipulated one can say.  Haman manipulates the king into issuing an edict that the Jews be killed - this chapter chronicles the background for this edict and the king's erratic (MacArthur indicates that even the people of Susa expressed bewilderment in the king's edict - perhaps as having no basis or cause) and weak behavior.  This stands in direct contrast to that of Mordecai who is seen as strong and principled - he would not kneel for Haman. MacArthur questions whether Mordecai's faith motivated him not to kneel, but over time it is evident that both Mordecai and Esther would emerge as strong and principled in their faith - courageous as well.

For us, we should understand that life is turbulent - see also John 16:33.  But we have Jesus as our rock and our faith in Him should rest on His firm foundation.  With Him we can remain strong.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

 

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love is greater than I will ever comprehend and imagine - You are certainly slow to anger and abounding in love.  You are my strength and my rock.  Thank You Jesus for how You helped me through dark valleys - I am grateful!  Yet I am not worth such love.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me 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.

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes...Our God will fight for us!

Nehemiah 4

Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes...Our God will fight for us! v14, 20

Nehemiah 4 serves as a metaphor for our lives as we attempt to build a life based on Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.  Just as Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod worked to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the Pharisees and Sadducees, among others, all rejected Jesus.

As I posted yesterday, our role in the church is very important because our fellowship with other believers serves to strengthen us as we fight the forces of this world in our faith.  

Most importantly, we have a God that will fight for us - just as Nehemiah states in v14 and 20.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You can beat the dark forces of this world because You have beaten death and sin - You have overcome!  Thank You Jesus for helping me gain victories over sin - I continue to need Your strength.  I am not worth such love. I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me 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. 

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.

1 Samuel 2

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. v9-10

The Lord blessed Hannah with a son and her response is appropriate - she willingly submits Samuel to the Lord, recognizing that God has great plans for Samuel; and in chapter 2 she praises God for what He has done in this amazing prayer.

I am touched this morning by verse 9-10 because I often rely on my own strength to see myself through difficult situations.  I must recognize that it is through faith alone that we draw strength.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, patience, understanding, compassion, etc. - slow to anger and abounding in love - INDEED!  I am grateful for You God - that You would love me and rescue me - just as I am.  Yet I know I am undeserving.  I am full of worry and harshness for others - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin.  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.  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.