But Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you."...But he said, “You shall not pass through.” And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him.

Numbers 20:14-21

But Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through, lest I come out with the sword against you."...But he said, “You shall not pass through.” And Edom came out against them with a large army and with a strong force. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him. Numbers 20:18, 20-21

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 20:14-21 - Moses seeks approval from the king of Edom to pass through his kingdom on the way to the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: While some scholars highlight the text as fulfilling prophecy of Esau's descendants (Edomites) living "by [the] sword" (Genesis 27:40), core to this message is how God is at work in Israel - that God had already punished Israel earlier in Numbers 14:33-34 for their rebelliousness and this punishment resulted in forty more years in the wilderness.  We should note that in the text, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom (v14), and it is implied that Moses did not consult God nor did God direct Moses to seek approval for passage through Edom.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Many, myself included, have made decisions without consulting God and it does not end well, particularly when we know God has other plans.  We should recognize that all of our lives are in His hands, His plans cannot be thwarted, and His plan is perfect and good.  See also Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:9, Psalm 37:23-24, Jeremiah 10:23, and Romans 8:28.  Seek Him and His guidance - in other words abide in Him and we will bear fruit (John 15:1-10).
• 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 decisions that do not center on God's will for your life - seek His will (Romans 12:2). Claim the promise that if we abide in Him, He will abide in us and we will bear fruit and it will be good. Follow the example of Jesus who sought the Father's will and not His own. Abide in Him. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and saves!  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 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 they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah.

Numbers 14:39-45

But they presumed to go up to the heights of the hill country, although neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed out of the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and defeated them and pursued them, even to Hormah. Numbers 14:44-45

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 14:39-45 -  in the face of a sharp rebuke and punishment from the Lord, the people mourn stubbornly proceed to the Promised Land even though in v25 God directs them back into the wilderness (punishment).  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is just and any punishment we get is for good - we may not like it but God works all things for good (Romans 8:28).  My previous post described the punishment meted out by God for the people's grumbling, complaining, and lack of trust in God.  See also Hebrews 12:9-11 where the text shares how we should view discipline for our good. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People often seek their own will vs the will of God.  This never ends well. See also Proverbs 19:21 - God's will is not to be thwarted - He punished the people by keeping them in the wilderness vs allowing them to enter the Promised Land.  In the text today, the people set out for the promised land but are defeated by the Amalekites and the Canaanites.  
• 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 pursuing your own will vs the will of God.  Claim the promise that God punishes us for good - discipline as training.  Follow the example of Christ who willingly surrendered His live to follow the will of the Father.  Trust God.   

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 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 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.

While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague.

 Numbers 11:31-35

While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck down the people with a very great plague. Numbers 11:33

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 11:31-35 - we see God fulfilling His promise to punish the people who complained about their provisions of food and craved meat.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: On the backs of their grumbling and complaining -  see post from two days ago and yesterday - God fulfills His promise to provide meat (quail) - in a gluttonous amount - to the people who craved such meat.  While God did not specifically promise a plague and for them to die, God did express anger and promised consequences.  This leads one to believe that perhaps God was giving the people an opportunity to repent and seek mercy for their sin of complaining before He delivered on the promise of consequences.  Regardless of how one interprets the text, it is hard to deny that God was faithful - He was angry and promised consequences and these consequences came to pass.  Every promise of God finds their yes in Jesus - 2 Corinthians 1:20. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people suffered due to God's wrath and there is no record in the text that they repented.  You would expect that after such suffering that they would - those who remained and moved on to Hazeroth (v35).  Often we see only what we want to see and not see what God wants us to see.  God wants us to see His glory and how He saves.  He rescued Israel from bondage and led them through the wilderness and provided for them - yet they complained, focusing on their own expectations and not God's plans.  He was building a nation, and ultimately a church.  We should seek God and pray that He renews our mind (Romans 12:2) such that we can His will. 
• 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 what God is doing and focusing on how your circumstances don't meet expectations and then complaining or expressing frustration.  Claim the promise that God is always at work for good (Romans 8:28).  Follow the example of Paul who gave thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Seek God and how He renews minds to align our thoughts and desires to be more like His.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You are SO faithful and always at work for good.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save and are so faithful.  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 am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me.

Numbers 10:11-35 and 11:1-15

I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. Numbers 10:10

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, where we first see Israel be led by God to leave Sinai in Numbers 10:11-35, and 11:1-15, we see Moses' struggle in dealing with Israel's weeping and complaining.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God does not like complaints - He sees this as directed towards Him and as a result, He is angered - see v11:1.  Who are we, that we complain that what God has done is not perfect?  He does not make mistakes.  We should not view ourselves as somehow deserving - of anything.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  If anything we all deserve death (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23). God is patient and He does give second (and third - but His patience is not unlimited) chances.  In the text today, Israel does get Moses to intercede and pray to God on their behalf and God responds favorably by showing mercy - v11:2.  Yet it did not take long for the people to once again start complaining - v11:10.  And once again, God was angered.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Not only does God does not like it when we complain but other people don't like to hear complaints from others - it becomes whining.  See Yet even adults whine and complain as we see in the text today.  Moses' reaction in vv11:11-15.  For believers, we should understand that such complaining is a reflection of our heart towards God and how He has not provided (when in the text today he has with manna).  See also Exodus 16:7-8 and Philippians 2:14.  If we have struggles we know that we can go to God as Moses did and we should pray that God help us see how He is at work in our lives, so that others can see us as a light and not as whiners. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:18.    
• 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.  Claim the promise that God is at work in all details of our lives - Romans 8:28. Follow the example of Moses to go to God when we feel our burden is too much to carry - see also Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22.  Be thankful in all circumstances. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for Your patience and mercy!  I know Your mercies never cease and are new every morning.  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.

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Mark 5:21-43

 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus continues to be a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv35-43): 

• The commentary's title for the third division is "Jesus Has Authority over the Power of Death."
• Noting the mocking Jesus endured by those who laughed at Him (v40), the commentary shares: "[h]ard-core realists who breathe the air of skepticism will always be with us. They will mock our faith in a crucified Jew and ridicule our trust in a God we cannot see. They will laugh at your love for the Savior who has cleansed you of sin’s defilement and given you spiritual life by His atoning work on the cross. Nevertheless, believe. Have faith—not faith in faith, which is spiritual nonsense, but faith in the omnipotent, sovereign Lord Jesus whose authority and power are absolute and know no rival." 
•  Jesus touches the dead girl - taboo according to Old Testament law. 
•  The commentary then asks and responds to five questions similar to the Sword Bible Study Method.  
• "What does this text teach me about God? God honors the faith of all who come to Him through Jesus. Social status, gender, or any other distinction does not matter. God cares for the demon possessed, the man of distinction, the outcast woman, and the little girl who is powerless."
• "What does this text teach me about sinful humanity? Disease and death are realities we must face in our fallen and sinful world."
• "What does this text teach me about Jesus Christ? Jesus cares for the hurting. Jesus does His work on His timetable. When Jesus touches the unclean, they become clean as He takes on their uncleanness. Jesus gives healing and life to those who trust Him as He takes on our diseases and dies our death (Isaiah 53)."
• "What does God want me to know? We can come to Jesus with our request no matter who we are or what we have done. We must come to Jesus in faith, believing and not fearing[.]" 
• "What does God want me to do? God wants you to come to Him with any and every request. God wants you to trust Him regardless of the circumstances or situation."

The application shared in the last bullet from the commentary excerpts is key - all details of our lives are in God's hands - big and small.  He seeks for us to be utterly dependent on Him for all of our needs and we should not take for granted how He provides for all of our needs.  Often our circumstances may tempt us to question whether God is at work or not, but rest assured God is in all things and working all things for good for those who love Him (Colossians 1:15-17, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 8:28). Our fear and anxiety is driven by our lack of faith.  During times of fear and anxiety turn towards Jesus. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and who knows our circumstances, empathizes with all of our concerns, hears our cries and responds to our cries.  You are good and You love and saved me.  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 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 who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #17: To Obtain for Us All Things That Are Good for Us.  Here, John Piper encourages us to see how Romans 8:32 shares how "[t]he two halves of [this verse] have a stupendously important logical connection."  Paul (and Jesus) use rhetorical questions as a means to engage us and to challenge us to go deeper in our understanding of scripture and doctrine.  This is what Paul does here in Romans 8:32.   Piper wants us modify the second half of the verse from a question to a statement so that it more clearly emphasizes Paul's key point, which is that God did the hardest thing of all by giving up His Son, so we can be assured that if we trust in Him we will see how He will give us everything we need in our life as followers of Him - He did the hard part already so everything else is easy.  Piper then ensures we have a right understanding of what is meant by "give us all things."  He refers us to later in the same chapter 8 of Romans where in 8:36 (quoting Psalm 44:22) Paul describes how Christians are not guaranteed an easy life (on the contrary see also John 16:33). We are then referred backwards in Romans 8 to verse 29 where Paul shares that God seeks to conform us to His image - sanctification - and sometimes this process is painful by design.  Piper describes this as "[God giving] us all things that are good for us."  Piper winds down the devotion by expanding on this by referring us to Philippians 4:19 and sharing: "[i]t’s the same as the other biblical promise: “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”....This promise is clarified in the preceding words: “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13). Rejoice in how God provides for all things that are good for us!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that provides for all of my needs, including mercies every morning that never cease, and eternal life with You.  Thank You Father God for my salvation, and for all of the blessings that You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from 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 these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.

 Zechariah 1:18-21

And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it. Zechariah 1:21

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:18-21, which the commentary outlines as the third of four divisions for the text vv1:7-2:13 (1:7-13, 1:14-17, 1:18-21, 2:1-13).  The commentary first shares how horns in Jewish culture represented a "measure of [an] animal's power," and how this also represented political or military power.  We are referred to both Micah 4:13 and Daniel 7:24 for text elsewhere in scripture for use horns and descriptions of power.  It then shares how the horns here in Zechariah "clearly portray total domination of the people of Israel by the powers that attacked and conquered them."  The four craftsmen are described as "God’s instruments to bring justice to the nations that had abused God’s people."  The commentary suggests the use of craftsmen "is meant to evoke the idea that just as a craftsman does his work slowly, carefully, and skillfully, so God skillfully works His justice in His own time. Also, sometimes we can only understand the work of a craftsman once it is finished. In the same way, God’s ultimate justice will only be fully understood when time has drawn to a close and God’s purposes are complete."  The commentary then encourages us to view justice in our own lives similarly: "sometimes we look at our lives and, from our limited earthly human perspective, we cannot see the pattern or the plan. We cannot see God’s justice at work, and life looks incredibly messy and unfair. Life is not fair, but God is fair, God is just, and God is greater than this life."  Romans 8:28 offers encouragement how God is always at work for good. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE always at work, bringing justice to the world and working in all things for good - thank You Jesus for never resting and never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of these blessings....my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You....daily.  Please 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.

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

 Zechariah 1:1-6

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:6b

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 1:6b, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b). The first two divisions share Zechariah's warning to God's people to not be like their ancestors, who did not repent from their wicked thoughts and ways - this led to their captivity and exile. Zechariah then shares how God's people repented and acknowledged God's justice was appropriate given their sin.  This is an important message for all believers - God reigns in all circumstances - good and bad.  He is in charge - see also Colossians 1:15-17.  God also has a plan for all of us and for believers "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).  Sometimes it is hard to see how suffering is good - yet we need to see how our circumstances are part of God's plan and how it is "working together for good." See also 2 Corinthians 12:7 where Paul shares how God did not remove the "thorn in his side" because it was serving a purpose - to keep him "from becoming conceited" (mentioned twice in same verse).  We cannot take our eye off our singular purpose - to love and glorify God and to love others as God loves us - these are the two greatest commandments and all the other commandments hang on these (see also Matthew 22:37-40).  When something is happening in our lives we must see God at work.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a just and holy God who is perfect in all ways - and You reign and work in all things for good.  Thank You Jesus for using all circumstances for good and for the love and mercy that never ceases.  I am not deserving.  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.     

For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”

 Haggai 2:6-9

For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’” Haggai 2:6-9

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:6-9, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:1-9. Building on yesterday's post which looked at vv1-5, the text for today further explores God's message for His people as they have repented, obeyed, and experienced God's presence. God further promises that the rebuilding of His temple will be accompanied by a return of all the earth's treasures (which come from and belong to God) to the temple.  The rebuilt temple shall be of greater glory than the original temple which was destroyed.  This message of restoration is found throughout scripture - including Joseph who goes from favored son to bondage and prison to the 2nd most powerful position in Egypt (the most powerful empire in the world at the time), Job, and Peter (who although denies Jesus three times, is personally restored by Jesus.  God restores and renews us - this gives all believers hope.  Hope when we are experiencing great difficulties, when our bodies are decaying, etc. We are not only reborn as Christians, but God carries us through whatever we experience to something that is new and something designed just for us and we can be assured it is good.  See also Romans 8:28. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and restores me by carrying me through challenging times - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how I can never be separated from Your 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.

 

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

 James 5:7-11

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

Now that I wrapped my study of Ecclesiastes, I return to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  This morning I lean on one of DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys devotionals which explores James 5:11.  For those currently experiencing great difficulties and trials, including believers, I suspect this devotional might be tough to swallow as it challenges us to see God's goodness and purposes during these periods.  Before I even dig into the devotional, my initial thoughts turn to Romans 8:28 where Paul shares that "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." All things - of course good and bad.  Now, turning back to the devotional we see John Piper get our attention right away with his first statement: "[b]ehind all disease and disability is the ultimate will of God."  As a backdrop, people should understand that John Piper is a reformed Calvinist - meaning that he sees God's providence in all matters for all of the universe and its inhabitants (see also his book Providence).  Pushing on with the devotion, Piper then shares that Satan is involved in our infirmities but his will is not decisive - only God's is. We are referred first to Acts 10:38, then back to Job, which is referenced in our text for today.  Job becomes sick with sores but does not curse God because of it - instead in Job 2:10a we see Job sharing what Piper refers to as Job's "right view of God's sovereignty over Satan" by responding to his wife who was directing Job to curse God.  Job does not curse God but instead rhetorically asks his wife "[s]hall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"  Piper also wants us to see in the next part of the same verse - v10b - where it is recorded that "[i]n all this Job did not sin with his lips."  The devotion then points back to James 5:11 where James describes Job's steadfastness of faith (not cursing God) in the face of his infirmities.  Piper wants us to see how Job (and how we should) recognizes that God may allow Satan to bring sickness to him, but God also is "compassionate and merciful" at the same time.  Piper describes this as God having a "good purpose in all Job's afflictions." To underscore this message, Piper also points to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7 where the thorn in Paul's side is from Satan "to keep [him] from becoming conceited."  Paul's humility is a good outcome of course!  Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that "[i]n fact, for God’s elect children, Satan cannot destroy us, and God turns all his attacks finally against him and for us."  Amen - God is good!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and mercy - all day every day.  Thank You Jesus for the blessing of my salvation and for the compassion and mercies You pour out every day for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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. 

For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

Ecclesiastes 5

For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. Ecclesiastes 5:7

I resume (see last post on this) my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:7, which covers the second division of the commentary chapter titled Religion Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Through Christ, We Can Approach God with Confident Reverence.  My last post on Ecclesiastes 5:1-6 discussed how inappropriate worship of God is sinful and how the American church is probably guilty of this sin more so than perhaps most other churches elsewhere around the world. V7 starts once again reiterating the futility of inappropriate and sinful worship, but ends with a pointer to God and how worship on His terms is where believers should focus.  We must remember that we exist to glorify God, so of course it should follow that our worship should reflect this purpose.  Our worship is about Him, not about us!  We should fear God (Proverbs 1:7), remember that all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), be humble (Psalm 46:10), praise God for His great mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23), and surrender ourselves fully to God, allowing Him to work together with and through us for good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great mercies that are new every morning and that never cease - thank You also for my salvation. I am not deserving of such blessings - 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, apply and be obedient to Your message for me today and every day.

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?

 Isaiah 45

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Isaiah 45:9

Today, I pause once again my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today first ensures we know that God is sovereign over everything in the universe and all of its inhabitants (see also post yesterday) - John Piper wants us to see how once we acknowledge this - our natural response is to submit to Him and recognize that we are totally dependent on Him.  Piper uses Isaiah 45:9 and Psalm 100:3 as scriptural reference points for us on these matters.  He goes further by sharing that we are not just totally dependent on Him, but that He is for us! See Isaiah 33:21, 64:4 and Romans 8:31.  Piper concludes the devotion with an awe inspiring and encouraging word by sharing a rhetorical questions that "[c]an you think of anything (I mean anything) that is more comforting and assuring and delighting than that the Lord in his majesty is for you?"  I can't - of course not.  Who can have anything greater than God - nobody!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - always working for me while I am totally dependent on You - the Creator and Sustainer of All.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

 Deuteronomy 33

 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

I pause my study of 1,2,3 John this morning to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explore how God is working in what we may feel are desperate circumstances which John Piper describes as "a sense of nothingness or helplessness." Piper encourages those who may be feeling this way, or might be in the future, by sharing that God sees everything we experience and He care and loves for us.  Piper writes to those who may be feeling as if they have hit rock bottom: "[H]e is at the bottom waiting to catch you....Yes, he sees you trembling and slipping. He could (and often did) grab you before you hit bottom. But this time he has some new lessons to teach."  We must try and understand how God is at work during these times and this is where we will gain our encouragement...by KNOWING that God is ALWAYS at work, that His design is PERFECT, and whether we see it in this life or when we are in Heaven for eternity, we WILL someday know with full knowledge why God has us in these circumstances - and it is good.  Piper points us to Psalm 119:71 and I lean on Isaiah 64:4, Lamentations 3:25, Romans 8:28 as additional scripture examples that support this message.  As Piper winds down the devotion for today, he shares: "[d]o not think that your wound has come to you apart from God’s gracious design." Piper refers us to Deuteronomy 32:29 as he closes, sharing that God heals and restores.   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always at work...and Your designs and plans are perfect.  I have seen this first hand - thank You Jesus for how You have worked in my life and how You continue to work in my life.  I am not deserving of Your hand of grace where my life rests. 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. 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church[.]

 Colossians 1

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church[.] Colossians 1:24

Today, I pause both on my study of 1 Corinthians and on my study of 2 Thessalonians that is week 2 of my men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Today, my focus is the Solid Joys daily devotional on DesiringGod.com which is entitled "Christ's Suffering in Us."  Here, John Piper starts by looking at Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which is of course a perfect sacrifice as Christ led a sinless life.  Piper shares that "[i]t pays in full for all the sins of all his people."  He then shares that this sacrifice "is lacking in nothing - except one thing, a personal presentation by Christ himself to the nations of the world."  This "personal presentation" is to be done by God's people through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  Piper then connects this "personal presentation" to the highlighted text for today - Colossians 1:24.  Paul is "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." The devotion calls out Paul's statement as "amazing": "[h]e says that it is his own sufferings that fill up Christ’s afflictions. This means, then, that Paul exhibits the sufferings of Christ by suffering himself for those he is trying to win to Christ. In his sufferings they are to see Christ’s sufferings." Piper concludes the devotion with the application for God's believers: "God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be presented to the world through the afflictions of his people." Of course "intentional" afflictions are a hard pill to swallow for many but not so much for believers that see God's providence in all matters, including the details, and how God is working in all these details for good (Romans 8:28). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion.  You died on the cross giving me the greatest gift the world will ever know - of all time - my salvation.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.       

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

As I continue to be in between studies, having wrapped up my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today builds on posts from the previous two days focusing on suffering - and today the devotional looks specifically at how our weakness reveals God's worth.  Piper start by sharing what for many, including Christians, might be a sobering thought: "God’s design for suffering is that it should magnify Christ’s worth and power. This is grace, because the greatest joy of Christians is to experience Christ magnified in our lives."  In 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 Paul describes how God gave him a thorn in the flesh" and Paul pleaded with God to remove it and God responds in 2 Corinthians 12:9a. Piper then further explains, using 1 Corinthians 1:29 that "[i]f we feel and look self-sufficient, we will get the glory, not Christ. So, Christ chooses the weak things of the world...[a]nd sometimes he makes seemingly strong people weaker so that the divine power will be the more evident." Piper then wraps the devotion by ensuring we are encouraged by Paul's response to God's grace - that Paul boasts of his weaknesses such that God get the glory as His power and grace is evidenced in Paul's life (see also 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10).  We are also urged to see how our faith means "being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - in all things - thank You Jesus for how You have never left or forsaken me...through all of the challenges and trials.  I am not deserving of how You love and bless 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 other 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 spouse 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 has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter nine - My Friend with the Best News during Cancer.  Here, John Piper shares the intimate details of his battle with prostrate cancer and how he learned to lean on Paul's words from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10.  Piper chains together the logic that gave him great hope though this trial.  He starts by describing how God is in control (Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:11).  He then moves to the text specifically in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 where it says "God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation."  Salvation is then clarified - by looking at the remainder of the text - of course as being eternal and not saved necessarily from cancer itself.  Piper then answers a key question - how did he know that his cancer was not God's punishment for his sins?  He responds by saying "because Christ already died for my sins. Cancer or no cancer, death or life, Paul told me that I was going to “obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for [you].*"  We are referred to John 3:36, Romans 8:1, 3 for additional support. Salvation is then further clarified by describing it as living eternally with Jesus as "that I will live forever, since the One I live with cannot die*" (see also Romans 6:9). The encouragement afforded in this promise is emphasized by Piper as we "get to live forever with the One who loved me enough to die for me*".  As he wraps the chapter, Piper points us to 1 Thessalonians 5:8 where such salvation is described as a "helmet" protecting us from harm and offering hope. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has died for our sins taking the wrath that we deserve and giving us salvation instead - something we don't deserve.  Thank You for this hope and protection.  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 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.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter five - Unshakable Contentment Whether Abased or Abounding.  Here, John Piper describes how Paul endures and perseveres through immense sufferings, remaining content with his circumstances and refusing to grumble and complain. Piper first starts with how Paul was at one point almost brought to death, but recognized that his suffering had purpose and it was God's purpose.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 for the text where this is described.  Piper then makes this statement about the "truth Paul believed about his suffering— no   matter how severe— was that it came ultimately with God’s purpose, and the purpose was that Paul would trust himself less and trust God more, every moment of his life, especially as death approached.*"  Piper continues on this topic by moving to the key to how Paul avoided grumbling and complaining about his suffering - we are referred to Romans 5:3-5 where Paul sees how God is - according to Piper - "producing endurance and God-saturated hope.*" Even when Paul sensed his suffering could lead to death Piper describes how Paul shared how this did not move him to grumble or complain - we are referred to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 where Paul tells us that he focused on what was awaiting him in Heaven...an "eternal weight of glory." As Piper wraps up the chapter, he sums up - by pointing to Philippians 4:11-13 - how Paul had found the secret to contentment.  Additional scripture references are provided, including Philippians 3:8 (all satisfying presence and worth of Christ) and Philippians 1:12 and Romans 8:28 (God works all things for his good).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and there are times when I have experienced suffering and You saw me through it and I know there will be more suffering before my life ends and I know You will never leave or forsake me and work in me to produce hope....thank You Jesus for how You bless me.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God is constantly working for believers. We need to see this is as supernatural encouragement - as only God can provide. John Piper writes that "God is a tireless worker. He never wearies. Think of God as a worker in your life. Yes, it is amazing. We are prone to think of ourselves as workers in God’s life. But the Bible wants us first to be amazed that God is a worker in our lives[.]"  Piper refers to the following verses as means to substantiate his claims:

• Isaiah 64:4: From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
  
• 2 Chronicles 16:9: The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
  
• Mark 10:45: The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.

Life is a very long race for most - one that requires perseverance, endurance, encouragement, etc.  We should seek to go the One True God who created all things and provides all things as our source of provision for what we need to run and finish the race.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who never sleeps or stops working for believers, including 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 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.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 16 of Advent, and today John Piper shares how God orchestrates and uses setbacks to reveal and unfurl His glory and fulfill His plan.  We can't see all of what God is doing or thinking (Isaiah 55:8) as God's thoughts and ways are not our ways. Yet believers see God's hand in the Bible and in our own lives as He uses adversity and setbacks as part of His plan.  In the Bible, of course Jesus came as a baby, lived a sinless and perfect live, but suffered and died on the cross as the final sacrifice for all of humanity's sins for all times.  The Bible is full of such winding roads and setbacks to His glory.  Piper uses the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis as one of many examples.  Joseph became a slave, then a prisoner, before his dreams/vision became a reality.  We are urged to see how God exalts those who pick up their cross and follow Jesus - by suffering as Jesus did. Piper wraps up today's devotion by stating:"[a]nd this is God’s way for us too. We are promised glory — if we will suffer with him as it says in Romans 8:17. The way up is down. The way forward is backward. The way to success is through divinely appointed setbacks. They will always look and feel like failure. But if Joseph and Jesus teach us anything this Christmas it is this: What Satan and sinful men meant for evil, “God meant it for good!” (Genesis 50:20)." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your ways and thoughts are not my own, but I can trust that You are good, faithful, and You work all things for good. Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of how You are good to me.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome 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 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 those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30

I paused again my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how for those who are believers, God first predestined us as one of His elect, then He called us, then He justified us (through death on the cross), and then He glorified us (including perfectly when we meet Him face to face upon entry to heaven).  In a supplemental DesiringGod.com post used this morning, John Piper unpacks not just Romans 8:30, but also v28-29 that lay a foundation for the promises made (and kept) in v30. BTW, see also this post which provides a definition of glorification. This foundation is described as very solid and deep so that all things - including sin - work together for good. From the supplemental post, Piper describes how we should gain massive security and assurance from how this works - and God of course, most importantly is exalted.  Once again, we should be encouraged to not worry, and live boldly for Christ as we rest in the security of God's promises.

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God whose Word I can trust - You are faithful and all of Your promises comes to pass.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.