[T]he Father...has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 Colossians 1:1-14

[T]he Father...has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14

I return to my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I move from Philippians to Colossians, where Paul seeks to encourage the young church (which he did not found nor had he ever been) and to defend against false teaching.  "Colosse’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles, [which] manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.*"  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv10, 12: God is the most infinitely valuable - above anything else and He is our treasure, worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and worship.  He has "qualified [believers] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."  This is a rich inheritance indeed!  Vv13-14: God "has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son."  For more on this deliverance from enslavement to sin - see also Romans 6:6, and 17-20.  This deliverance gives us freedom from sin (justification in His eyes) and eternal life.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V3: Paul thanks God for other believers - this is a blessing of which we should often remind ourselves.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ worship and serve along side us - sharpening and encouraging us in our walk with Christ.  God designed us and intends for us to love, worship and serve God together - from the very beginning when God provided Eve to Adam saying in Genesis 2:18 that "[i]t is not good that the man should be alone[.]" Vv4-8: Paul encourages the young church, acknowledging their understanding of Truth and emphasizing "[their] love in the Spirit."  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to guard against heresy and avoid falling victim to false teaching that leads us astray from Him.  We are claim the promise that we have a rich inheritance in Christ that gives us victory over sin and death.  We should follow the example of Paul who understood the importance of our brothers and sisters in Christ and to encourage (including prayer) and sharpen one another in our spiritual wisdom and understanding of Him.  Walk in a manner worthy of Christ. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for redeeming me and filling me with the "knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me 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 MacArthur Bible Commentary 

They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 10:1-10

They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God. Numbers 10:10

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, Numbers 10:1-10, we see the Lord give Moses instructions on making two trumpets and using these to summon the congregation of Israelites and for breaking camp.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Trumpets are not a quiet instrument, so when one blows one or two trumpets you are not being inconspicuous, but bold.  God wants it known that we belong to Him and that He guides us (see yesterday's post).  He also protects - v9.  Believers should not be silent but instead should boldly proclaim who God is and that He saves - see also Acts 4:20 where Peter and John are brought before the Sadducees Council who were "greatly annoyed because [Peter and John] were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead."  We should not be silent.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Three times in the text when the trumpets are blown, the people are told to gather both together and with God.  It is not good for man to be alone - Genesis 2:18 - and God seeks for believers to not just fellowship with Him but with each other - we are to gather together with the people of God, through fellowship, worship, etc. 
• 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 being silent about who God is.  Claim the promise that we belong to Him, cannot be separated from His love, and that He saves. Follow the example of Peter and John to boldly proclaim the gospel.          

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 My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  I am not deserving of such love and for my 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 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.

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.

Numbers 8:5-22

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. Numbers 8:14

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 8:5-22, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to cleanse the Levites and consecrate them for service in the Tent of Meeting.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God alone cleanses people from sin - we must go to Him.  We no longer perform all the ritual washings, sacrifices, and rites per the first covenant as with the second covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, we simply go before God, confess our sin and ask for forgiveness and repent/turn to him.  God also seeks for His people to be set apart - to be a light in world filled with sin and darkness.  He is holy so He seeks for His people to be holy.  Believers are also set apart for a purposed designed by Him - to be used in His service. In this case it is the Levites as the priesthood in the Tent of Meeting, but with the second covenant, all believers are used in His service. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The text refers to the Levites as belonging to God (vv4, 17).  All believers belong to God as we've been redeemed and purchased through the shed blood of Jesus - see also 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23.  As such, our lives should be lived in His service - just as the Levites served to intercede on behalf of Israel to God (v19), we exist to glorify 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 the earthly influences that can drag into a life of sin and darkness. Claim the promise that God offers forgiveness and freedom from the sting of sin and death. Follow the example of the many in scripture who lived to serve and bring glory to Him.  Be holy because He is holy.       

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

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

Romans 5

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

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 23.  Here, John Piper describes - per the devotion's title - God's Indescribable Gift.  He starts by asking how believers receive reconciliation with and exult God.  He then provides the answer as "we make [the] portrait [of Jesus in the New Testament] the essential content of our exultation over God." Piper then points us to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 as Paul describes conversion. We are then pointed to Romans 5:5 where Paul describes how "God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Piper uses this verse and shares how it describes how we exult in God in "its fullest experience."  Piper then points us to Romans 5:6 where we read how Christ "while we were still weak, at the right time, died for the ungodly." We are to ponder this reality as we approach Christmas. Piper concluding thoughts for the devotion: "Not only did God purchase our reconciliation through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:10), and not only did God enable us to receive that reconciliation through the Lord Jesus Christ, but even now we exult in God himself, by the Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11).  Jesus purchased our reconciliation. Jesus enabled us to receive reconciliation and open the gift. And Jesus himself shines forth as himself the indescribable gift — God in the flesh — and stirs up all our exultation in God. Look to Jesus this Christmas. Receive the reconciliation that he purchased. Don’t put the gift on the shelf unopened. And when you open it, remember God himself is the gift of reconciliation with God. Exult in him. Experience him as your pleasure. Know him as your treasure."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is worthy of all honor and glory.  You came to save me and all sinners - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an indescribable gift - the greatest gift of all time.  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 heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin and 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, apply Your Word for me today and every day.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

I maintain pause my study of 1 Corinthians and focus on a study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus as part of a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church. My focus this morning is Titus 2:11-14, which are the memory verses for this week. To aid in my memorization efforts, I break down this text as follows:

• For the grace of God has appeared (first coming of God's one and only Son, Jesus Christ)
• bringing salvation for all people (Jesus desires to save all people)
• training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (salvation brings about new birth or regeneration as the Holy Spirit works in our heart as we draw closer and closer to Jesus in our journey with Him; this regeneration process moves into sanctification as we are trained and molded into more of His image)
• to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (our lives in this world, in our earthly bodies, is temporary, and during this time our salvation and the resulting regeneration and sanctification processes move us to not only battle against sin, but also for Him)
• waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (as we live in the present age, we wait patiently - enduring whatever circumstances God places us in - for the second coming of Jesus Christ)
• who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness (once again Christ "bought back" our salvation - He redeemed us)
• to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (we were redeemed for a purpose - to be purified and to become His so that we work for His good and to bring others to Him)
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave Himself to redeem me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You redeem and purify 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 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.