The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 17:10-11

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:10-11

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 6: The Reasonableness of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "There is a widespread impression, especially among young people of a certain age, that Jesus is unreasonable, and that Christianity is a religion which constantly makes war on reason. Young men sometimes say, "I do not want to join the church because I want to use my reason." How strange such language when Jesus from first to last pleads for the use of the reason. Christianity is the one religion of the world which demands the continuous and daring exercise of the intellect. Men often think they are using their reason when in fact they are exercising their prejudices or are suffering from paralysis of the brain."
• "If men want to know whether Christianity is reasonable or not, why do they not read the Gospels? They are short and can be read through at least once a week, and yet men go right on refusing to read the Gospels — the one source of all authentic information as to what the Christian religion really is. Many think nothing of reading a novel of four hundred pages who stagger under the task of reading the four Gospels. It is just such persons who like to talk about the unreasonableness of Christianity. Why not be reasonable? Christianity has but one authoritative volume. Why not read it ?"
  
•  "In order to expose the folly of men, Jesus had the habit of asking questions."
• "His attitude from first to last is the attitude of God as pictured by Isaiah. He was always saying, 'Come, now, let us reason together.'" See Isaiah 1:18.
  
•  Jesus saw Old Testament ceremonial law as having "no reason....It was utterly formal and deadening and stupid."
•  Jesus says if you want to understand the Christian life, then work at it. If you desire to know the truth, then live it. This is common sense. How else could one find the truth of a religion if he did not work at it ? If you want to learn to speak Italian, you do not simply think about it, or read about it, but you go to work on it. It requires a deal of work, but no matter. You cannot learn a language without making mistakes, and the only thing to do is to keep on working. Just so is it with the Christian life. Men imagine they can become Christians by thinking about it, or by reading about it, or by hearing a preacher talk about it. How absurd! You can never become a Christian until you are willing to work at it. Are you willing to begin now?"
  

There are many a man who at first scorned (or at least dismissed) Christ and the Gospel, but upon further investigation repented and believed in Him.  Lee Strobel is one such figure, and he is one of countless others. Acts 17 describes the Bereans (not necessarily ardent skeptics) - a group of Jews who heard Paul and Silas share the Gospel on Paul's second missionary journey.  They eagerly studied what Paul and Silas shared to "test" the veracity of the Gospel.  God wants us to do the same and to use our power of reason - to test that our own experience of the Good News is what it says it is. For me, my experience is that the more I read and study God's Word, the more I am convicted all of it is not just reasonable, true, but  truly the Word of God and in the Word contains the power of God.  Read the Gospels and see for yourself!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is not just reasonable, but perfect - and in not just Your words, but in all of Your ways.  Thank You for Your Word and how it's Truth provides Power.  I am not deserving of how You speak to me and reveal Yourself and my sin to me.  I am also not deserving of the inexhaustible grace that You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 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. 

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

Ecclesiastes 11

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. Ecclesiastes 11:5

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus this morning is Ecclesiastes 11 and how the takeaway of this text relates to the first division of the commentary: God Has a Design for Everything.  Building on posts for the past few days (yesterday, day before, day before that), the text focuses on the futility of understanding God's ways, sharing in vv1-6 how many may observe creation and study science but a full understanding of God's ways (who has providence over all matters, including creation) is not achievable by any earthly mind. V5 is explicit on this. V6 emphasizes how provision in our lives is from God and while we may plan, it is only God's where one will find 100% certainty with things coming to pass.  Vv7-10, the concluding words for the chapter, points us to the futility of life without God (broad theme of entire book), and how we should remain humble and at peace knowing God is in control and that He loves and saves.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - providing for all of my days and of course saving me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it follows me every day.  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. 

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

Ecclesiastes 8

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus this morning is Ecclesiastes 8 and how the takeaway of this text relates to the first division of the commentary: God Has a Design for Everything. The header in the Bible for vv14-17 is Man Cannot Know God’s Ways, as this text describes how Solomon, reflected back on his life and saw vanity (meaninglessness) everywhere, including in the pursuits of both righteous and evil people.  He saw the hand of God and what He had done and tried to understand God's design and ways but fell short in a full understanding.  Isaiah 55:8 also shares how God's ways and thoughts are not the same as those of humanity.  We can take comfort in knowing that we may not know what He is doing in any given circumstance, we should know that God's ways, designs and everything about Him is perfect, and that He loves, cares, and most importantly saves.

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 - You saved me while still an enemy to You and You never leave or forsake me. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  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 loved me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench[.]

Isaiah 42-44

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench[.] Isaiah 42:2-3

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move on to Lesson 16, Day 3a, where the focus remains on Isaiah 42, largely on v1-9 where we examine the subject of these verses, and of course it is Jesus.  My study encourages me to see how Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy, pointing to Matthew 12:15-21, where Jesus says as much pointing back to Isaiah 42:1-3. As I read this morning these verses, I struggled to fully understand the intent of how Jesus does not "cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench[.]"  I leaned on John Piper to deepen my understanding and here is Piper (in the broader context of a message on the Pleasures of God) on these verses as he describes (using Jonathan Edwards words): the "excellencies" of Jesus (emphasis added): 

"[T]his servant, in whom the Father so fully delights, is so gentle that if he finds your wick, the wick of your little candle of faith, just smoldering — it’s not even making any light; it’s just smoke — he extinguish you but gently blow on your to light the flame again. That’s tenderness. There’s a grass that grows in Georgia that could be six feet tall. You could break it at the bottom and make a spear. If you hit one of them in the middle, you know it’s just going to flop over. If Jesus finds you that way, he’s not going to but you down. He props you up. A bruised reed, he will not break.

On the one hand, we have a majesty that is breathtaking. He made the world. He upholds the world. On the other hand, you have the most intimate, tender, kind, gentle, patient, loving, sweet, warm, breathe-on-your-wick friend, and the Father delights in that. It really makes God happy when he sees that.

One of the most moving sermons I have ever read on the excellencies of Christ is by Jonathan Edwards. Edwards argues that for us and for God, what makes Christ so delightful, so satisfying is not just his majesty and not just his meekness. It’s the conjunction of many diverse excellencies. It’s that way with people isn’t it? If you meet a masculine man and he’s all man, he’s not a very impressive fellow. He must have some feminine traits. If you meet a woman and she’s all feminine, she’s not impressive either. She needs some masculine traits."

What a perfect and amazing God we have!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me - You are a great encouragement - supernatural encouragement!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the encouragement and hope You provide.  My sin is great and it continues daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my 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 had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”

Revelation 8:2-11:19

He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” Revelation 10:2-4

I continued with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  For this week, the study looks at Revelation 8:2-11:19, and with the help of the study's commentary, today I reflect on the entirety of this week's study.  Revelation 10:2-4 provides a portrait of the mystery of God. Often times I want to know why something is going on, but many times I don't have answers...I must have peace with this knowing that at least once I reach Heaven, perhaps sooner, I will have answers as God will ultimately reveal what is unknown to be known. In the meantime, I can take great comfort in knowing that God is in control, He is good, faithful, He answers prayers, and He is always at work. I also know His ways are not my ways.

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

 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

Comment and discuss this post here.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You love me, You are faithful, and You will never leave or forsake me - among the many promises You make.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love, salvation, and promises, nor Your faithfulness - all blessings.  My sin 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.

“For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me[....]This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

2 Samuel 22 

 “For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me[....]This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:5, 31

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on Job and how we can view God's providence and goodness during periods of trial.  Piper draws from the book of Job and pulls out five applications for us.

1. Satan is not ultimate; God is.
2. Satan is not the decisive cause of death and calamity; God is.
3. Destructive calamities in this world mingle judgment and mercy.
4. The heart that Christ gives to his people feels compassion for those who suffer, no matter what their faith is.
5. Finally, Christ calls us to show mercy to those who suffer, even if they do not deserve it.
   

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of mercy and compassion for me as You purify and sanctify me, and even during periods when I am punished - Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such mercy and compassion.  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.

“If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity."

 Leviticus 5-6

“If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity." Leviticus 5:17

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter six - When We Are Guilty - covering Leviticus 5:14-6:7, looking specifically at the theme - We Are Guilty When We Disobey a Command of God.  Here, the commentary stresses unintentional sin, which is explicitly discussed in v5:14, 17-18.  It states that we sin unintentionally all the time - we often refer to these as mistakes, but these are sins nonetheless. We are urged to step back to see the extent of the details in Leviticus as laid out by God as commands that we are to follow.  Yet, the commentary then states regarding the Israelites' ability to keep all of these commandments: "[i]t was easy to make a mistake by forgetting or not knowing about a particular law."  V15 is called out with its reference to "holy things" and the commentary describes these as "all the things set apart for use in the sanctuary--shovels, utensils, and pans used in offering sacrifices and preparing incense. Those things were holy in that they were reserved only for use in the sanctuary." The commentary writes about how easy it must have been to miss a detail - unintentionally - about these commands.  We are urged to see how we - just as those living during the time when the Old Testament sacrificial system was in place were - are human and prone to mistakes and imperfection.  Only God is perfect and Holy. We are also urged to not question God's laws as He is the authority and He gets to make the rules, just as a parent does with a child.  There are no imperfect laws from God as He is perfect and Holy. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose laws are perfect and good for me.  All that You do is good and good for me.  I am undeserving of how You bless me.  I have sin such as 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.  

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

Conclusion: Pages 650-669

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

This morning, I completed John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) after reading the conclusion. Here Piper recaps the extent of providence: "God's eternal plan includes everything-from the most insignificant bird (Matt 10:29), to the movement of stars (Isaiah 40:26), to the murder of his Son (Acts 4:27-28).  It includes the moral acts of every soul-its preferences, choices, and deeds. Neither Satan at his hellish worst nor human beings at their redeemed best ever act in a way that causes a revision in God's all wise plan.  Whether God planned to permit something or planned to be more directly involved, nothing comes to pass but what God planned as part of the process pursuing his ultimate goal.  Therefore, the extent of this providence is total."

Piper also shares with us "ten examples of the effects that knowing and loving this providence will have," including how "seeing and savoring this providence: 

1. awakens awe and leads us into the depth of true God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated worship."
2. makes us marvel at our own salvation and humbles us because of our sin."
3. causes us to see everything as part of God's design-everything as from him and through him and to him, for his glory."
4. helps protect us from the trivializing effects of culture and from trifling with divine things."
5. helps us be patient and faithful amid the most inexplicable circumstances of life."
6. shows us that the "problem" of God's sovereignty in suffering is more than relieved by the sustaining purpose and power of his sovereignty through suffering."
   
7. makes us alert and resistant to man-centered substitutes that pose as good news."
8. makes us confident that God has the right and the power to answer prayer that people's hearts and minds would be changed."
   
9. shows us that evangelism and missions are absolutely essential for people to be converted to Christ, because God makes them the means of his work in creating saving faith."
   
10. assures us that for all eternity God will be increasingly glorified in us as we are increasingly satisfied in him."

While all I have experience all of these effects to a certain extent, one in particular rings true this morning - #5 and #6. As a father of a special needs child (Dustin), I prayed that God would equip me to be the man, parent, and husband needed not just by Dustin, but by my other child Zach and by my wife Lisa. God's providence has seen to it this prayer has been answered and for the praise and glory of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior!  More often than not, when I encounter challenges and trials, I know God is in control and God loves me, that He will never leave or forsake me, and that His ways are good and perfect...and that I can rest.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your thoughts and ways are indeed unknown, but they are perfect and good.  I can rest in knowing this.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such rest and of all the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...selfishness, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.

Micah 1-2
 

I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. The  One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head. Micah 2:12-13

  

Day 175 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 a study of the prophecies of Micah, as my commentary* indicates that God uses Micah to deliver a message of judgement against covetousness, greed, and a desire for false prophets. Micah's prophecies outline how Samaria's [Israel's] "plague [has] spread to Judah" (Micah 1:9).  Just as God promises punishment for those who have fallen away, deliverance and restoration is promised for those who are faithful.  

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

I am reminded of how God is perfect - including His perfect justice.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You have disciplined me because You love me - thank You Jesus.  Your blessings for me are more than I deserve.  I worry and I have other sin, including impatience and anger.  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 the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Acts 9

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” v15-16

Ananias was told by the Lord to go lay hands on Saul to give him the power of the Holy Spirit (v10-12).  Ananias initially resisted (v13-14) but the Lord clarified why He was sending Ananias to Saul and ultimately Ananias did go (v17).

There are many examples of scripture where God sends people to deliver a message or carry out a task.  Jonah is one such example.  We may resist but if God is sending us, we must go because God has a plan - He is in control - and His ways and plans are perfect.  In the case of Ananias, God makes known details about His plans but in many cases we don't know (i.e. Abraham and Isaac) and we need to trust in Him.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - I have seen and can testify to Your hand in my life and the many blessings You have poured out for me.  Thank You Jesus for directing me and holding me by the hand as I go - every day.  I love You.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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 Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

Daniel 9

The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. v14

We may not like what God is doing in our life but just as Daniel states, God is righteous in all that He does and I would go one step further that He is perfect in all that He does.

Daniel prays to end the suffering of Israel who is in exile and pleads with God for mercy (v19).

The angel Gabriel once again appears to Daniel providing further prophecy of the end times.  See also this post from John Piper on this topic.

We must view God’s discipline as training.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who disciplines me out of love – thank You Jesus.  I know You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love but You provide it anyway.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my love 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.

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Joshua 8

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. v34-35

Just as God is perfect, the Bible is perfect - as is God (see also John 1).  God wants us to read the whole Bible and KNOW it.  We must not to add to or subtract from it - it becomes important for many reasons, including that it enables us to put on the full armor of God.  Most importantly, when we know the Bible we know God.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, and Your Word is perfect and I am blessed to have Your Word where I can spend time with You, understand more about You and Your will for my life.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such blessings.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure 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.

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

Leviticus 10

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. v1-2

When God gives clear instructions, we are literally "playing with fire" when we willfully disregard the details of God's instructions.

Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. Deuteronomy 4:1-2

See also post here and here.  

God's design, His plans, His ways, all aspects and attributes of God are perfect - don't mess with them! 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - everything about You and all that You do reveal Your perfection and glory - there are NO Gods other than You.  You are the one true God - the Messiah!  And You came to save me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such effort.  I fall down in my responsibilities.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  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. 

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. v17

God is just...and His justice is perfect.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:8

 

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

 

"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done." Matthew 16:27

 

As such, we should live our time on earth with reverent fear.  We are not citizens of earth so we should respect the host - our God the Father.  And we should respect our God the Father because our bodies are not our own...we live for the glory of God.  We have a God who is perfect in all ways, is all powerful, and all knowing.  He is Lord of Lords and He reigns over all.  He demands our love and is worthy of it.  He knows everything about us yet chose to adopt us, and suffer and die for us.  

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, no doubt You are a great God worthy of my praise, worship, love, and obedience.  Thank You for being my God.  You have done everything for me yet I know I am undeserving.  I am selfish, lazy, and I worry.  Please forgive me 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.  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.

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. v9

When God created the Heavens and the Earth and all of its inhabitants in Genesis, God then had a plan to save us from the sting of sin and death through His Son Jesus Christ.


Here in Zechariah we see a prophecy of the coming of Jesus - of his arrival in Jerusalem...on a donkey.  God is gracious, His plan is perfect, and with Jesus Christ we do indeed have victory!

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 

 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

 
My Prayer: Lord God You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for all, including me.  You sent Your Son for me. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I often cannot sleep because of it.  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.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

 

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

Psalm 85

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. v12

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

 

If God is before all things and He controls all circumstances and if He also only good then we can trust and have faith in Him - the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  Even when times are difficult, we must not be shaken because God is using all circumstances for our good and His purpose.  We must give thanks.

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, You are ONLY good.  And I know You are for me...You know everything about me, yet You chose me then suffered and died for me.  You are able to redeem my sin for my good and Your purpose - only You can do this!  How great a God are You!  Thank You for adopting me as Your child - I am deeply grateful.  Yet I am not worthy of such an act - I am broken and in need of forgiveness and mercy.  Please forgive me for me worry and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless....

Psalm 18

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless....v30

In this Psalm, God is accurately described as strong, constant, protection, deliverer, powerful.  Of course all of these are true and more.  Yet for me this morning, what strikes me is verse 30 which describes God as perfect and of course He is...in His designs, thoughts, works, actions, justice, etc.

Often times, particularly in the moment, we can't understand God's thoughts or His ways but we CAN understand that whatever He is doing it is perfect, for our good and His glory.

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

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

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and You are perfect in all ways.  You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve.  I fail to dispense grace and love as You have poured out on me.  Thank You for the many blessings You provide but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. v5-6.

No doubt on this one...the Lord has been good to me. Yet, what is interesting here is the choice of words David uses.  Note that David indicates that he will offer praise "for he has been good to me"...implying because God has been good to him.  I am not going to judge David as I am not worthy to judge him or anybody else.  However, his choice of words causes me to examine my own motives in my praise of Jesus.  Do I praise Jesus only when he has been good to me - am I a fair weather fan?  I sure hope not!  I recently posted how we must see God's wrath daily...and that it is perfect and good.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You created all things, You provide all things, and You are in all things...for my good and Your glory.  I have seen Your blessing in all circumstances...Thank You Jesus.  Yet I know I continue to have impurities and sin, and that You are not done with me.  I continue to be harsh and impatient with my family.  I am not worthy of Your love and forgiveness, yet You provide it and I seek it now.  Please forgive me.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

Psalm 12

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. v6

God's Word is indeed flawless...His promises, His truth, His love, His power, etc. - everything in the Bible is perfect and for a purpose.  How could you not want to seek daily time with God and His word!?


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

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reading Psalm 12:6 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 together are key - God's Word is perfect...for a purpose.

See also here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You...and everything about You are perfect.  There is nothing without You - You provide, heal, protect, guide, encourage, teach, etc.  Thank You Jesus for all that You are and all that You do for me.  I am not worth such a God as I continue to be harsh in my relationships with others.  Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.