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.

I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Isaiah 44-46

I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things. Isaiah 45:5-7

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I start Lesson 17, which examines Isaiah chapters 44-46.  My focus for today is Day 1, which looks at Isaiah 44:24-45:25. Isaiah prophecies in Isaiah 39:5-7 how Judah will fall and be taken captive by Babylon, and here in Isaiah 45 (starting in v1) we see how God uses King Cyrus of Persia to sack Babylon and free Judah from exile.  This is yet another example of how God uses people outside of the faith as part of His plans. God reigns over all - in v7 we also see how God works in evil and calamity.  We should never question that God is in all things - see also Colossians 1:15-17.  We should also see how God works in all things for good - see Romans 8:28 - for many circumstances in our lives we may never know the good that is being worked out but we CAN rest assured that it is good and God does love us.  We will have trouble (John 16:33), but God has overcome and in so doing gives us eternal life.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and how You work is amazing - You are in all the details of my life and all the details of all lives - You hold all things together and I know You love me and give me eternal life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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 "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado discussing how Martha felt betrayed by Jesus when she initially saw him on His way to the now dead and buried Lazarus (John 11:21). Lucado shares how many feel betrayed by Jesus during these moments of loss when one sometimes wonders why someone had to die. Jesus of course has the answer and verses 23-27 chronicle the dialogue between Jesus and Martha on how belief in Jesus leads to everlasting life.  The feeling of betrayal then leads to desperation as Martha has no other answer than to rely on Jesus - she has the faith Jesus wants all of us to have. She then sends to her sister Mary who challenges Jesus just as Martha did and we see Jesus weeping and moved. We see Jesus weeping and for Martha and Mary one can only speculate how comforting it must have been to see Jesus - who Martha correctly refers to as "Messiah, the Son of God" - weeping.  God really does care about us - that is why He sent His Son.  For many, the road from feelings of betrayal to desperation leads to Jesus and a strengthened faith.  It certainly helps that we have a God who can empathize with all of our needs.

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

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who knows and provides for all of my needs - and You provide everlasting life for those who believe - thank You Jesus.  This is the greatest gift of all.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I worry, I lack patience, 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.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 139, 145, 148, and 150 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Day 123 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 my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue today with the group: "Psalms of Joy and Praise".

Today's psalms focus on praise over the wonder of God's total familiarity with each life, praise to a faithful, loving and righteous God, that all creatures praise the God of creation, and a call for all things to praise the Lord.

The core of today's reading encourages us to fully appreciate how God knows everything about us, the ugliness of our sin over the entirety of our lives, and how despite this knowledge, exercises grace and compassion - despite what we deserve. Psalm 139 more than anything from today's reading, captures God omniscience:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain....For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16

We know that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), and this is what we deserve because we all sin.  Yet Jesus saves....and He does so despite knowing everything about us including our sin - nothing is hidden.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed know everything about me and You hold not just my life but all life and the entire universe rests in Your hands - You are in control.  Despite knowing everything about me and being in co.ntrol - You love me anyway...and You came to earth as a baby to die on the cross so that I could have life here on earth and forever with You in Heaven!  Unbelievable.  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I sin...gossip, worry, etc. daily.  Thank You for Your grace and compassion but I need this also 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.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 29, 33, 65, 66, 67, and 68 

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

Day 118 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 my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue today with the group: "Psalms of Joy and Praise".

Today's psalms focus on praise of God's power and glory as seen in the lightning, praise to God for his power, purpose, and love, praise for God's forgiveness, power, and physical blessings, praise for God's deliverance from the oppression of sin, praise and prayer for God's blessings, and praise for a God of power who cares about individual problems.

Among the themes today, I am grateful for a God who cares about me specifically and about my individual cares and concerns.

God created the universe and everything in it, He sustains everything, is in control of everything - He is sovereign over all - this is a core message of Psalm 29.  God does not need me or anyone else for that matter - yet He not only loves me, He died for me!  That is love beyond my imagination.  He is my personal Lord and Savior.  He "daily bears [my] burdens".

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who daily bears my burdens.  I am not deserving of such a God and such love.  I worry.  Thank You Jesus for Your great compassion and mercy.  Please forgive me for my worry, and my other sins, which I know are plenty!  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 God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Acts 17

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ v24-28

There is much to unpack here as Paul helps the Athenians understand the One True God (vs all of their idols).

First we must understand that God has no limits in any way - not physically or via any limits to His capabilities.  He also does not need us but created us so that we may seek Him and glorify Him and bring others to Him...so that we may be saved (see also John 3).  God is not far from us and we are His offspring.  God loves us and He cares for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love and care for me - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of Your love.  I have briefly drifted from You and I need Your forgiveness for many things. Please forgive me and help me overcome from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

John 7

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

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

God is in control.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - I KNOW You love me, You are always with me, and Your promises always come true!  Thank You Jesus for being my God and for adopting me into Your family.  I love You.  I am undeserving of such love and grace.  I sin far too often.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

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

John 5

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

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

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

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I have seen You with me in all times - including during times of great difficulty.  Thank You for always loving me and for always being with me.  I am undeserving of such a God.  I worry, and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your message today and every day.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v43-45

In this passage, James and John seek to gain favor with Jesus relative to the other disciples and they are challenged by Jesus and rebuked by the other disciples.  All of us seek recognition and status in this world - we desire to feel significant - this is outlined by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as "esteem needs".  Yet we must understand at the same time that significance is provided by our CREATOR - God!  He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us on the cross - so that we may have life (John 3:16).  

It is of course tempting to seek recognition, status and significance in this world - but we should not, and instead place our faith in Jesus and take comfort in being second in the same sense that Jesus wants us to place Him first.  We must become a slave to Christ.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.  1 Corinthians 7:22-23

My Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are a good, good Father, and a great God - my God, my personal Lord and Savior.  I am nothing without You and apart from You I can do and have no good things.  Thank You for how You bless me and for saving me.  I need You desperately because I daily miss the mark.  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.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” v28-30

Life sometimes has a sense of endlessness, and I mean that in bad way, and we can often just get worn down to point of giving up in the face of challenges we face.  I've been there.  Yet I gain strength through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and sustains and strengthens me like no other.

As I posted yesterday, God will never leave or forsake us, and He is with us until the end of the age. He also provides for us and sustains us.  He loves us.  See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provide for all things, You sustain me, strengthen me, love me, and You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I daily miss the mark.  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 will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Ezekiel 34

I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. v16

God is now preparing the hearts of Israel for restoration. He once again reinforces the promises and covenant He made with David as He points to the House of David and Jesus who will be the shepherd referenced here.

The words in the verse today provide a strong measure of God's care, mercy, compassion and love for us.  Rest assured - we have a God like no other as He loves us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who daily is full of tender mercies for us.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, 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.

You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’

Isaiah 47

You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ v10

Addressing Babylonians who held Israelites in bondage, God warns those who have not seen God's hand in Israel's plight to know that their OWN sins have not gone unnoticed and will not go unpunished.  God is in control and knows everything - we must live in reverent fear of God.  At the same time we must understand and know that God loves us even though we sin, and as a demonstration of this He disciplines us out of love - see posts from last several days.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who knows everything about me, including my sin - yet You still love me and died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I am harsh with my words and actions. 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 oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.  In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. v4-5

We all seek something of the world - that is our sinful nature.  The Israelites sought a king (1 Samuel 8) because God alone was not sufficient.  God ultimately gave us His Son Jesus Christ as the King of Kings...and He did so just as Isaiah 16:4-5 indicates.  He did so out of love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We don't need to ask for anything of this world, certainly not for a king.  God loves us and He will provide what we need and what we ask for given we ask in the name of God. 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14

Jesus, give me a heart not after this world, but after You.

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

But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.

Isaiah 6

But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land. v13

God disciplines those He loves and in the early chapters of Isaiah, a vision is described for how God will chasten the Israelites for their disobedience.  Yet in the discipline, just as in chapter 4, we must see the love of God, not only His wrath.  God promises that a remnant of the Jewish people will remain - out of love and because of His promises to Abraham, Jacob, David, etc.  In chapter 7, God tell us of a coming child - Immanuel who we know is Jesus.   

My God is not an angry God, but a God who is slow to anger and abounding in love.  

We all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and we must see discipline AS love.

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

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

Proverbs 30

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

I know You love me Jesus - thank You.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has sustained me through dark valleys and difficult times - thank You Jesus.  I know You are always with me and You provide in all circumstances.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I often have too much stress.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Psalm 147

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. v4

During those times when we doubt God's love for us, we can recall the words of this Psalm and similar scripture.  God loves us because He created us, specifically, and He knows everything about us - even down to the hair on our head.


I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7

To God, we are not faceless - we are known - in fact, fully known and fully loved.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Further, we have been adopted as God's children:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

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

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

Psalm 106

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

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

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

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

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

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You created the Heavens and Earth and everything that inhabit them, and You created me, knowing everything about me even before I was born...and yet You still came to rescue me, dying on the cross.  You have transformed Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

Psalms 8

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

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

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

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

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

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Job 42

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. v3

As I wrap a quick study of Job, MacArthur's Bible Commentary helps me better understand a key takeaway from Job's life.  Job did not yet understand why he suffered, yet he fully understood that God reigns with perfect wisdom and justice - there should be no question about God's sovereignty and His perfection as it relates to our circumstances.  

There are times when we don't understand everything about our circumstances - but we can rest on His truths.  That He exists, that He died for our sins, He is our creator and savior, He is in control, He is full of love, grace, and compassion for us, and that He is enough.

This latter point is particularly relevant with Job, for when Job had nothing else - He had God and this should have been enough. Yet Job complained - and when we complain we do so against God.

I too have done as Job has done - so there is no judgement.  Yet in looking back and in looking forward my hope is that I can have peace in knowing that God has me exactly where He wants me.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.  Philippians 2:14-15

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has created all things, is before and in all things and holds all things together.  I know You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and am often harsh with my words and actions.  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.