And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites.

Numbers 35:1-8

And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites. Numbers 35:8

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 35:1-8 - God gives Moses commands to the people to give the Levites a portion of their inheritance of land to live and for their animals to pasture.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God gave the Levites duties to care for the tabernacle and in the priesthood.  He also sought for the other tribes to provide a means of living for the Levites.  Like the other tribes, the land given to the Levites was to be measured out with strict boundaries, consistent with how the other tribes were to live within the borders defined by God (see post yesterday).  The Levites were to be content with how God provides.  Six of the forty-eight cities given to the Levites were to serve as refuge for those pending trial - manslayer (someone who kills without intent) - see both v6 and v11. God has a plan for what He provides and we are to be stewards of what He provides for His purpose. The other tribes should not see their land as their own but as God's and the same as the Levites.  See also Luke 12:48 where Jesus shares a parable to emphasize that "him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."  God expects us to see Him as the owner and for us to be the caretakers - this includes time, talent, and treasure.  And we should be cheerful with regard to how we hold and give - 2 Corinthians 9:7.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: There are many examples in scripture where people are not good stewards of what God provides nor cheerful givers - Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11 is one of the most striking examples.  On the other hand, the poor widow from Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 serves as a positive example.  
• 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 holding onto what God provides for our own purpose and desires.  Claim the promise that every good and perfect gift is from Him and that He works in all things for good. Follow the example of the poor widow and give sacrificially.  Trust Him that His plan and design is perfect and that He provides. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of how You love and save, provide and pour out blessings daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to 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 spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders)[.]"

Numbers 34

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders)[.]" Numbers 34:1-2

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 34 - God gives Moses and the people of Israel commands for how to divide the Promised Land by tribe and to give the land borders in which they must remain.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  See also this map. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is faithful - He promised this land to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, He delivered and rescued God's people from Egypt, brought them to this land and gave it to them.  God wants us to be satisfied with what He gives us.  He draws specific boundaries and borders for the Promised Land and the people are to trust Him that the land is enough - the people are to learn how to be content with what God provides.  We know the land is good because Joshua and Caleb, when they were part of the group that scouted the land from the wilderness, described it as "exceedingly good" and "flowing with milk and honey" (Numbers 14:7-8).  At the same time, we know from the arc of redemptive history that Israel is surrounded by neighbors that are hostile to her - God knows this and He seeks for Israel to be secure and He will be their refuge.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: While the scripture here is silent on this in the text, we know that the people of Israel will consistently sin, including idolatry, etc.  This is the nature of all humanity since the Fall in Genesis 3.  With Jesus, all of God's promises find their yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).  
• 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 not seeing God as enough and then acting out of fear and/or covetousness. Claim the promise that God will never leave or forsake us, we can never be separated from His love, that He provides for all of our needs - we can trust in Him and see Him as faithful.  He is also our refuge.  Follow the example of Joshua who saw the Lord is with Israel.  Love God, abide in and follow Him.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness, how You provide, and how You never leave or forsake us - among the many blessings You pour out daily for those who love and trust You.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 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 from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.”

Numbers 21:10-20

And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!— the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” Numbers 21:16-18

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 21:10-20 - God provides water and the people sing joyfully in response.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is with us, He directs our steps (with Israel He guides as a cloud by day and a fire by night (Exodus 13:21), and He provides.  The wilderness is a desolate and difficult place - yet Israel find themselves in a place in v16 called Beer, which in Hebrews translates simply to a "well."  God provides water here.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people respond in song, in essence, worshiping God.  This is a wholly appropriate response to God, who He is and how He provides.  Note also how God seeks for Moses to "[g]ather the people together[.]"  God seeks for His people to worship together. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): When we are in a spiritual wilderness, we should not worry, grumble and complain as Israel has been doing (see text from post yesterday).  We should claim the promise that God provides for all of our needs.  Follow the example of Christ who trusts in the Father to provide for all things (Matthew 6:25-34). Praise God for how He is with us, directs our steps, and provides - even in the wilderness. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, is with us, guiding our steps, and providing for all of our needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

I pause my study of Numbers, to read Ecclesiastes 5 in more detail as a follow up to my men's Friday AM group, and in the text today, Solomon shares how we should fear God in terms of what we say and do, and how God wants us to see wealth and possessions.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Our fellowship with God, and, in particular how we communicate in prayer (including vows) is something we should not treat flippantly.  Yes, God is accessible and approachable, and He wants a relationship with us but we should communicate with reverence, recognizing that God reigns and that we are completely dependent on Him for all things.  God also provides all that we experience, including wealth and possessions.  They come from Him and they belong to Him - James 1:17.  We can and should enjoy wealth and possessions, but we should first and foremost enjoy God as our most treasured possession, that He saved us and we can never be separated from His love - Romans 8:38-39.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Many, as Solomon points out, seek their own agenda when communicating with God - see also Matthew 6:7. We know also that many find contentment in their wealth and possessions vs God. 
• 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 seeking your own agenda when communicating with God and treasuring wealth and possessions more than God Himself.  Claim the promise that God provides for all our needs and we belong to Him and in Him we have a rich inheritance. Follow the example of Solomon who saw that devoid of God, all is meaningless.  Love God and seek Him with all of Your heart. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love, save, provide and never leave or forsake 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.  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 the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.

Numbers 18:8-24

And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Numbers 18:20

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 18:8-24 - God continues to speak to Aaron, sharing with Aaron how the Levites will have charge over contributions given to Him by the people, and how God will care for the Levites in their role in the priesthood.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God entrusts the Levites to guard the sanctuary lest anyone come near or in and die (see also post yesterday and previous posts).  This is a great responsibility...and with it comes great accountability.  In all of this, God blesses and cares for those who serve God and His mission.  Yes, there is a sacrifice of time and talent but God provides and blesses those who serve. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: So many serve the church tirelessly, most in ways that are less visible.  God wants those who serve the church to know that not only is this noticed but it is desired and acknowledged by God as good, and it will be rewarded now and for eternity.  We should serve and claim the promise that God is our portion, and that He will provide and bless us. 
• 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 grumbling and complaining about serving and following God.  Claim the promise that He will provide and bless us and others through our service.  Follow the example of Moses and Aaron to lead and serve the church.  Live life knowing that with great responsibility comes great accountability.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...thank You Jesus for how You love, save, provide and bless.  I am not deserving of how you love, save, provide 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.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:24-27

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 6:22-27, we see the Lord give Moses instructions to pass on to Aaron and his sons to bless Israel - the Aaronic Blessing.  With assistance from RC Sproul/Ligonier Ministries, here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God wants to remind us that He alone is the source of all good things - hence His Name is mentioned three times in four verses - each time He is the subject of the verse as one should read these verses as a statement just as much as one would a prayer and blessing over people. The Lord: blesses and keeps us, He makes His face shine upon us and be gracious to us, lifts up His countenance upon us and gives us peace.  The Lord does and shall do ALL of these things.  His name is also upon the people of Israel and He will (promise) bless them.  See also James 1:17 where the text reminds us of how God gives us every good and perfect gift.  Deuteronomy 28:1-14 lists in details specifically many of the blessings He pours out for us if we obey His Words.  God is SO good - all the time!  The blessing includes an incredible and hopeful wish that one day, all of us will see His face and it will "shine upon you and be gracious to you."
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People often see their efforts as the fruit of their own labor and believers specifically should be very careful not to do this - God alone saves and provides ALL.  
• 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 seeing any blessings you experience as the fruit of your own labor.  Claim the promise that You will one day see God's face and that He will shine upon you.  Follow the example of Jesus who looked beyond the cross to Heaven.  Be humble and know that every good and perfect gift is from above. 

Comment and discuss this post

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

Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

 John 21:1-14

Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12b

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 21:1-14, where we see Jesus appear to the disciples after the resurrection - this time by the Sea of Tiberias.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is in all the details of our lives.  Here the text does not say disciples were desperate or particularly hungry - it is an ordinary moment in their lives.  Jesus wants to remind us that He is always with us - always at work.  He provides - including strength for the net so that it does not break, and a fire with bread.  We should never worry about how He provides.  He shares hospitality with the disciples - a theme God reinforces throughout scripture that takes an ordinary moment and is used to bring glory to Him through Godly fellowship among believers and among believers seeking to share the Good News with others.  Jesus has now appeared to the disciples three times after the resurrection - He wants them to be certain that He has defeated sin and death.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples were together - seven of them.   Believers should be in each others' lives - this is how God designed us - for fellowship so that we can support and encourage one another and act with unity.  
• 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 missing Jesus and doubting that He is there (no one should dare ask who are You?) - He is always with us and He is always at work.  Claim the promise that we can never be separated from His love.  Follow the example of Jesus who spent time with other believers and encouraged fellowship and hospitality.  Love, encourage and support one another as believers.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and my personal Lord and Savior.  I have no doubt who You are as You loved while I was still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as thier 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 the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

 John 6:1-15

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. John 6:14-15

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 6:1-15. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. This same account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand is in all of the other gospels -Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, and Luke 9:10-17.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus acts with intention as He has lesson plans in mind for those following Him, particularly the disciples. In John's account of this miracle, we see Jesus testing Philip in vv5-7 as any good teacher does to get a student to think and come to answer on His own.  Yet Jesus, omniscient as He is, knew not only what Philip would say but also what Simon Peter (see vv8-9) would say and do.  A key lesson here of course is that in our feelings of scarcity, we should lean on Him to provide as He is source of all provision.  Another key lesson here is found in vv12-13 where Jesus instructs the disciples to "[g]ather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."  Jesus provides while at the same time, we are to be good stewards of what He provides and not waste or squander what He provides.  All of what He provides is to be used for His glory.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People very often have feelings of scarcity or doubt that Jesus provides.  This is probably one of the more prevalent or visible doubts that people have.  We also see how people can be more interested in their physical needs then their spiritual needs - see v2 where the crowd is following Jesus not because of what He is teaching but because of what Jesus is able to do for the sick.  V14 describes how the people rightly saw Jesus as the Prophet promised from the OT.  Yet this same crowd sought (by force) to crown Jesus as an earthly king - see v15 - and Jesus withdrew at this point.  Nothing can stop God's plan and we should seek His will not our own.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not worry about how God provides for all of our needs. Be a good steward of what God provides. Trust in Jesus.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves, saves and provides.  Thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  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 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 he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

 Mark 12:41-44

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:41-44.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv43-44):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "Jesus Knows Why We Give." 
• The commentary for this second division, including a conclusion for this chapter of the commentary covering the entirety of the text vv41-44, extended into another day of my reading and study - hence another post on this text.  Additionally, because money is a very important topic for believers, I did not want to shortcut my study on it. 
• "Giving is an act of worship. In the Word of God, numerous truths are set forth to help us in our understanding of grace giving (what also can be called Christian stewardship)[.]"  These truths posited by the commentary include: "Grace Giving Is Guided by a Proper Perspective (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 3:21-23, 4:1-2, 9:17, Psalms 24:1, 51:10-12, Haggai 2:8, Philippians 4:13, 19, 1 Timothy 5:8, Colossians 3:23-24, Hebrews 11:4)."  This truth and the supporting text is further expanded by sharing that "all that I am belongs to God, all that is belongs to God, God has entrusted His possessions to me, God's possessions entrusted to me have a purpose, and God's assets build and glorify God's kingdom through me."

Core to all of this is how, in light of God's love for us, how He saves us despite our sin, is that we are utterly dependent on God for all things and He is total control.  We must remain humble and allow Him to work through us. More tomorrow on this as the commentary shares two additional truths on money as it wraps this chapter. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who loves, provides, and saves.  Thank You Jesus as You do this and more....I am not deserving as 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.

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:41-44, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God knows both our actions and our intent - our heart, motives.  He is all knowing.  See these examples from scripture about how God knows everything.  He cares most about our heart and our intent.  Many people put large sums of money into the treasury (v41).   The poor widow put in a very small amount but her motive and intent was to give as a true sacrifice, depending on God for her provision.  That is what God seeks from us - motives, intent and a heart to obey His command to love Him and then others. See also vv28-34.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Many act as means to bring glory to themselves.  See v41 as an example where rich people put in large sums of money into the temple treasury - the text contrast this from the widow who gave out of sacrifice.  The actions of the rich people are prideful and not what God seeks.  We must glorify God (not ourselves) in all that we do - this is why we exist.  See 1 Corinthians 10:31.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid pride.  Follow the example of the widow to give sacrificially.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You know everything about me, including my sin yet You loved me first, and while still an enemy and hostile to You, saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love!  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 a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

Mark 9:1-13

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark 9:7

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:1-13.  Excerpts from the second (of three) division (vv5-8):

• For the second division, the title is: "Listen to the Voice of God the Father."
• "In these verses only two persons speak: Peter and God the Father. Jesus does not say a word. He doesn’t need to! Peter’s words we can set aside and even excuse in light of his fear (v. 6) and his being suddenly awakened from a nap (Luke 9:32). We must hear the Father’s words and heed them. Our spiritual lives depend on it."  
• The cloud overshadowing them here in the Transfiguration (v7) is similar to how God "enveloped" the tabernacle as Moses and the priests led worship during Israel's time in the wilderness (Exodus 40:35, 1 Kings 8:10-11).  The commentary also emphasizes how despite Peter suggested how tents should be constructed for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, no such tents are necessary in the presence of God. 
• Of course God's words and exhortation to listen to Jesus echo His words during Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:11).  We are also referred to Deuteronomy 18:15 where God shares a prophecy of a coming Messiah.
• "When the cloud disappears, Elijah and Moses vanish, and “Jesus alone” remains. Moses and Elijah were great revealers of truth along with all the other prophets, but the voice of God commands us to listen to His Son, Jesus. Give Him your ears."

From an earthly perspective, we may claim many physical needs for food, water, shelter, etc. but most importantly we need Jesus.  It is from Him where all provision comes and He saves providing our daily bread and the "living water" and if we drink of this water we will never thirst again (John 4:13-14).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are SO good providing for not just my physical needs but also for my emotional and spiritual needs as You save and You pour out mercies for me daily that overflow and never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide and save!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people.

Mark 8:1-26

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. Mark 8:7b-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:1-26.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of four) division (vv1-10):

• The title for this chapter of the commentary is "Sometimes We Just Don't Get It," and the main idea for the entirety of the text is "Jesus has the power to overcome our spiritual blindness and open our eyes that we may see."
• "Remembering what we have seen our Lord do in the past should help us trust Him in the present. Unfortunately, we are sometimes forgetful and even hard-hearted (8:17). In spite of seeing the Lord work in our past, we are not sure He can handle our present. We just don’t get it."
• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Always Has a Plan, but We May Only See a Problem."
• "Once again Jesus involves His disciples in the problem. This is another teachable moment. So He calls them to Himself (v1), shares His heart (v2), and explains the situation (vv2-3). The Twelve respond with a question. It is not one of unbelief as much as it is of their bad location and lack of resources (v4). The implication is, “We can do nothing. What then will You do? Jesus, You are the only hope!” Good!"
• "Twice He has taught the people to thank God for their daily provision and to trust Him as their sole and sufficient resource to give them what they need."

The commentary also emphasizes how repetition is often needed to reinforce an important lesson. In Mark 6 we see Jesus feeding the five thousand, and here in chapter 8 Jesus feeds the four thousand.  The lesson of course is how all good and perfect gifts come from above (James 1:17) and how Jesus provides for all of our needs - apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5).  We should always be thankful for how God provides, not take it for granted how God gives us the breath of life, etc. See also this post from a study in Leviticus. 

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

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Mark 6:7-13

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Mark 6:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the second (of four) division (vv8-9): 

• The title for the first division is "Go Mean and Lean with Nothing Nonessential."
• "To be effective in God’s work, we must do what we do unencumbered, with no excess baggage that could impede our mission. Further, we must go in radical faith and dependence on our God." 
•  "The four items required of the Twelve are identical to what God told the Hebrews to take on their flight from Egypt (Exodus 12:11)." 
• The commentary details the parallels between the Old Testament exodus and how Jesus sends out The Twelve under the authority of the new and greater Moses (see also Hebrews 3:1-6).  
• Dependence on Jesus for all things is emphasized, particularly in the mission field.

For believers, God calls upon us constantly and fear and anxiety often accompany such calls - to step into the unknown.  God called Moses in Exodus 3 to rescue Israel from bondage.  This triggered much fear and anxiety in Moses, and God quelled this fear and anxiety, speaking to Moses and revealing His plan for this effort in Exodus 3:15-22, and sharing how Aaron will be his helper in this mission in Exodus 4:1-17.  God gives all believers a role in the Great Commission and we should lean on Him in prayer, etc. to equip us and to give us courage to step out into these roles. 

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - You saved me while still sinning and an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You save, equip, provide, and lead in the roles You design for 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.  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 if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:11-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:7-13, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God both calls and sends (v7), implying that God gives us something to do and a place where we are to go.  The sending is a mission function in that we are called to serve a specific community often first by traveling to this community. God also equips in that He gives us power (v7) and we should trust that He provides as we serve (vv8-9). We are reminded that it is God alone that softens hearts and saves - we share the gospel, and He saves (v11).    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There are those who have not and will not receive the gospel and repent - we should continue to share, but move on from those who do not repent (v11).    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to listen for God's call and to go where He wants us to go.  God gives us power as He works through us and in the same way, He provides.  As we serve, we can trust in Him to work in and through us and to provide.    

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 3:10-12.  In these two verses, God makes a promise to Israel that He will bless the nation beyond the point where it will no longer have any needs that are not met - see v10 "until there is no more need."  A need is defined as "a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful...a condition requiring relief, [or as the] lack of the means of subsistence."  This promise is of course conditional on the people giving to God their tithe (see text that mentions tithe in the ESV Bible translation, including Leviticus 27:32 which specifically refers to 10%).  Another promise God makes is that Israel will be a land of delight.  For believers today who are under grace vs under the law, there is no longer a requirement for a tithe as believers give what is referred to instead as an offering - see this helpful resource.  We should give freely at least a tithe (10%) as an expression of our love for Christ who gave His life for us.  Believers should also understand that God is the source and provides for all of our needs and whatever we have it belongs to God - this includes our own body.  Everything we have - our lives and our belongings should be used in the service of the Lord, to fulfill His mission, including the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We should trust in how God provides.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs and never leaves or forsakes me - thank You!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how 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 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 struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

 Haggai 2:15-19

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:17, 19

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:15-19, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, God reminds the people how, in response to their sin and how they turned away from Him, that all things come from Him and He can easily take away just as He provides. While Israel did turn back to the Lord and He promises to bless them (see also Haggai 2:1-9), we must remember that we exist to glorify God, and woe to us if we do not.  We all sin and need a Savior.  God's people needed to repent and so do we. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, all comes from You as You reign and You provide for all needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Most importantly, You save!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and how You provide.  I am not deserving as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Haggai 1:5-6

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:5-6

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:5-6, the third sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Reflecting on Their Lack of Flourishing Will Point Them to God’s Displeasure.  Here, building on vv3-4 where God questions the Israelites for their devotion to their own lives and pursuits vs love of God and obedience to Him, God continues to condemn Israel.  God shares how the Israelites' ways are futile in terms of providing for their needs, and of course this includes physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  We must rely fully on God for all of our needs - He is the source of our provision, every ounce of it. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God's message through Haggai is intended to draw Israel back to Him, and to show them that His design is that we depend on Him and then we flourish. God calls out Israel's disobedience and then connects it to their current state of want and despair. 
• We are referred to God's design as stated in scripture, including Jeremiah 29:5-7.
• God wants us to see how our actions have consequences - see also Isaiah 59:2 where we are warned and reminded that sin separates us from God and without repentance we remain apart of God - not a state we should desire - one where we are subject to God's judgement, wrath and condemnation.  
• We all sin and need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior. He intercedes on our behalf. Repent and believe! God is good and He will cleanse you...and so much more!
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Living Water, and You provide for all of my needs, You never leave or forsake me, and I can never be separated from Your love...not even in death.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and all the blessings You pour out for me daily.  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[M]y God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

[M]y God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Today I pause from my preparation for leading Sunday school tomorrow and listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys devotion for today entitled God Will Supply All Your Needs. Encouraging us in our battles with anxiety, John Piper points first to Philippians 4:6, where Paul exhorts us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Piper then moves to v19 where Paul promises us that God will supply all that we need. Piper expands on this by sharing: "[i]f we live by faith in this promise of future grace, it will be very hard for anxiety to survive. God’s “riches in glory” are inexhaustible. He really means for us not to worry about our future." We are also referred to Isaiah 41:10, where Piper describes how it has personally encouraged him in his life.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion, providing for all of my needs, including my salvation!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of these gifts.  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.

Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”

 Psalm 23 and Genesis 22:9-14

Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” Genesis 22:8

I continue my pause of my study of Jude to use Tony Evan's The Power of God's Names sermon outline series - maintaining focusing on Message Four: Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh.  Today, I focus on those sermon notes that stand out to me.  Sermon Point 7 in particular stands out: Believe God Has A Plan Even When It Doesn't Make Sense.  For anyone that has children, there are often many times when we don't see what God is doing in the lives of our children, and it can often be anxiety-ridden. In Genesis 21, God provides Abraham and Sarah a child of their own (vs Ishmael via Hagar), despite their advanced years - fulfilling a promise He made.  In Genesis 22:2, God calls Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice - this is a test indeed and I can't imagine how anyone would not be anxiety ridden over this request! Yet the sermon notes point out how (thank you Tony Evans!) in v8 Abraham trusted that God had a plan to provide a lamb for the sacrifice.  The sermon notes continue and encourage us to understand for ourselves the Issac in our lives that we hold dearly that we cannot give back to God, trusting Him to provide.  For me, this is my children and I pray that I can trust God that He is faithful and give me vision to see that He will provide. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all of my needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how 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 Your 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 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever....So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

Psalm 23 and Genesis 22:9-14

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever....So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." Psalm 23:6, Genesis 22:14

I continue my pause of my study of Jude to use Tony Evan's The Power of God's Names sermon outline series - maintaining focusing on Message Four: Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh.  Today I begin to unpack the sermon notes.  First, we level set on the names of God: 

• Jehovah Rohi: The Lord is my Shepherd; while many places in the Bible point us to attributes of a shepherd and how is our Shepherd, few are as explicit as Psalm 23 in describing how God is our Shepherd.
  
• Jehovah Jireh: God provides. God provides not just physical needs, but also emotional and spiritual needs.  Also, when we look at both names of God together we must acknowledge that there may be periods of our lives when God is caring for us, leading us through something, and providing something that we may not be able to see, perhaps not even during our natural live.  Issac needed to survive, because Jacob and Judah follow him, and ultimately - many generations later, Jesus follows this line (see genealogy in Matthew 1).  Abraham was not able to see this far into the future, nor are we.  But Abraham was able to have faith that God would provide for all of his needs and be faithful to fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham that from his line would be a great people.  Abraham is not the only one from scripture who was able to rest in how God provides - Joseph, Daniel, etc.   We should understand Isaiah 55:8 where it says God's thoughts and ways are not like ours.  
  

Although we are not able to think, see and do as God can, we can rest in how God cares for us as our Shepherd.

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 - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are my Shepherd and how You provide for all of my needs.  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 neighborhood and the world.  Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your word for me today and every day.