Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this....Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

Ecclesiastes 7:1-13

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this....Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:10, 13

I resume my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  This morning, I start an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 7-11 which is a significant amount of text to cover in one day.  However, by leveraging the commentary outline, which breaks down these chapters not with divisions and associated verses, but simply with divisions that point to text throughout chapters 7-11, I will tackle these chapters in more manageable chunks.  Here are the divisions:

1. God Has a Design for Everything. 
2. Sin Leads to Brokenness and Meaninglessness. 
3. The Gospel Is the Answer to Our Brokenness and Meaninglessness. 
4. The Gospel Allows Us to Recover and Pursue God’s Wise Design.

My focus today is Ecclesiastes 7:1-13.  Here, there are two verses in my reading that emphasize how we should see God's design in all of life's circumstances (and even be thankful per 1 Thessalonians 5:18). V10 is a command that says that in the midst challenges/trials/suffering we may be currently experiencing, we should not look back at better days we had but instead we should see how God is working within these challenges/trials/suffering.  It is a reminder that God is sovereign over all the details in Heaven and on Earth, including our lives.  V13, similarly, describes how God's designs and plans cannot be stopped - His purpose will not be thwarted - see Job 42:2.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that is before everything and in everything.  You hold all things together and You give me the breath of life.  You most importantly give me salvation.  Thank You Jesus!  I am of course 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.  

...declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose[.]'

 Revelation 5

...declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose[.]' Isaiah 46:10

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 describes what John Piper aptly refers to in the title of the devotional Two Infinitely Strong and Tender Truths.  The first truth is that God is in control of all the details of universe and all of its inhabitants.  Piper uses Isaiah 46:10, as well as Daniel 4:35, Job 23:13-14, and Psalm 115:3.  The other truth according to Piper is that "God’s great desire is to show mercy and kindness to those who trust him...[and that] God’s sovereignty means that this design for us cannot be frustrated. It cannot fail."  Piper refers us to Ephesians 2:7, Psalm 37:3-7, Proverbs 29:25, Romans 8:28, and Psalm 84:11.  As Piper concludes the devotion, he shares that these two truths are the "pillar of his life."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I can rest and have confidence in how You are sovereign and provident over all things.  And You are faithful - all of Your promises have a yes in Jesus!  Thank You!  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.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power[.]

 2 Thessalonians 1

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power[.] 2 Thessalonians 1:11

I pause my study of 1,2,3 John this morning to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today highlights how God works through our will and resolve to demonstrate His power.  John Piper warns believers that we should not be passive in our battle against sin and to obediently do good works. Piper shares: "The engagement of God’s power never takes the place of the engagement of our will! The power of God in sanctification never makes us passive! The power of God engages itself beneath or behind and within our will, not in place of our will....When you sit back to do nothing, you are not doing nothing. You are actively engaging your will in a decision to sit back."  Piper refers us to scripture as a means for us to more fully comprehend his message, including 1 Timothy 1:18, James 4:7, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 8:13.  We are encouraged to actively engage our will and our resolve and is only then that we see God working to give us what we need.  Piper goes on to share that "God will never appear with power in your will in any other way than through your exercise of that will; that is, through your good resolves — your good intentions and plans and purposes."  Piper concludes by referring us to Luke 13:24 where Jesus tells us to strive, and Philippians 2:13 yet another way of using our own will and resolve and how God then works through us in those efforts.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives me what I need - in all things.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide, guide, etc. 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 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.  

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 4

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. James 4:13-16

This morning, I pause my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at pride and arrogance, including how pride and arrogance manifests itself in the world and believers can battle such evil.  John Piper refers us to C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity and how Lewis warns us against looking down on others because we won't be able to see "above" us where God reigns supreme in our all details of the universe and all of its inhabitants.  Similarly, Piper warns us from flippantly talking our plans with a view that God plays no role in such plans. Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that "James says that not believing in the sovereign rights of God to manage the details of your future is arrogance. The way to battle this arrogance is to yield to the sovereignty of God in all the details of life, and rest in his infallible promises to show himself mighty on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9), to pursue us with goodness and mercy every day (Psalm 23:6), to work for those who wait for him (Isaiah 64:4), and to equip us with all we need to live for his glory (Hebrews 13:21). In other words, the remedy for pride is unwavering faith in God’s sovereign future grace." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that holds all the details of my life and the lives of my loved ones in Your hands - and You are so full of grace that You provide, Your mercies are new, and You never leave or forsake me.  You of course save!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of any of these 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.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

 Proverbs 16

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

For my daily study, I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at God's providence over all aspects of the natural order.  Quoting Matthew 10:29-30, John Piper starts by sharing that "[i]n other words, there are no events so small that he does not rule them for his purposes."  Providing another example of God's sovereignty over nature, Piper goes on to quote Jonah and how God "commands a fish to swallow a man (Jonah 1:17), he commands a plant to grow for shade (Jonah 4:6), and he commands a worm to kill it (Jonah 4:7)." He further describes God's sovereignty over the heavens, quoting Isaiah 40:26.  Piper closes today's devotion with a call to "stand in awe and be at peace, knowing that no natural event is outside of God’s wise and good purposes, and perfect control."

For a more extensive examination of this topic, see John Piper's book Providence.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who created all things, is in all things and holds all things together - and You have my life in the palm of Your hands.  You don't need me, and yet even though I am broken, You reach down into the details of my life - and You reveal Your love and grace to me - saving me from eternal damnation.  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.

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation 6

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. Revelation 6:11

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 looks at martyrdom not just as it existed during the first three centuries of the church's existence, but now as well as many continue to suffer this fate today (for more see Voices of the Martyrs ministry).  Piper describes God's role in martyrdom as "a sovereign God who said there is an appointed number of martyrs. They have a special role to play in planting and empowering the church. They have a special role to play in shutting the mouth of Satan, who constantly says that the people of God serve him only because life goes better." Piper refers us to Job 1:9-11 as an example of a man that was entirely in God's hands and protected as Satan incorrectly believed that Job would curse God as he lost his family and wealth.  Job stood firm in the faith - for more of John Piper on job - go here.  Piper wraps his devotion by sharing: "[m]artyrdom is not something accidental. It is not taking God off guard. It is not unexpected. And it is emphatically not a strategic defeat for the cause of Christ. It may look like defeat. But it is part of a plan in heaven that no human strategist would ever conceive or could ever design. And this plan will triumph for all those who endure to the end by faith in God’s all-sufficient grace."  While most of us will not experience martyrdom as some do, we can do as John Piper seeks for us to respond by (1) affirm with all our hearts the absolute sovereignty of God, (2) let your tears flow freely when your calamity comes, and (3) trust in the goodness of God, and let him be your treasure and your joy.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is sovereign and regardless of the trials and suffering I experience I know You exist, never leave or forsake me, and that I am sealed for eternity giving me the confidence to stand firm in my faith.  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.

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 7:1-14 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  The commentary outlines two divisions for this text:

• God Is Sovereign over the Nations (7:1-8): The commentary first starts by emphasizing how God reigns amidst the chaos (depicted as raging seas in v2 where this image is also used in scripture (see also Isaiah 17:12, Job 41:31, and Revelation 17:15) in the world around us, including how nation states rise and fall.  It portrays the beasts which the commentary portrays as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome.  The fourth beast is also described as the anti-Christ. Ultimately all of these kingdoms, and all kingdoms rise and fall at the mercy of God's hand.
  
• God Is Sovereign over His Kingdom (7:9-14): this text is described in the commentary as "the most important verses in Daniel and some of the most important verses in the whole Bible. They are important theologically. They are important eschatologically. And they are important Christologically."  The commentary uses text from these verses to describe attributes of God: holy, pure, righteous, omnipresent, omniscient, wise, judge, in all things at all times, and both loving and wrathful. How the first three beasts are stripped of their power and authority demonstrates how God is full of grace and patience but still ultimately sovereign. Then in v13-14 we see how God is sovereign in how both God the Father and His Son reign. The commentary shares how the reference to the "Son of Man" v13 is a clear reference to Christ as scripture elsewhere refers to this description, including how this was Jesus's own "favorite designated title" (se also Acts 7:56, Revelation 1:13, Mark 10:45, etc.).
  

We should rest in how, despite the chaos in the world around us - don't you see it? - God is in control, and He is saving a place in heaven for us and the victory over sin and death is already won! 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and You are before, in, and in control of all things and I know You love and You have sealed me and my salvation for eternity - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me and saved me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You...daily.  Help me grow in my faith and glorify You.  Please provide Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I continue my pause of a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, as I alternate the Isaiah study with a study of Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus is Ephesians 1 again, with a specific focus as well on v15-23. Building on my post yesterday, and leaning on this commentary from Chuck Swindoll, Paul seeks for the church  in Ephesus (and all believers who follow) to fully appreciate the spiritual blessings of the inheritance we gain as children of God (adopted by Him).  This morning the text Paul praises God for the faith of the church in Ephesus and prays for them (v16-17), and Paul, through prayer, seeks for the church in Ephesus to: fully appreciate and grasp the hope they should have and the riches of their inheritance, which he defines as the "immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe, according to the working of His great might" (v18-19). Paul then goes on to further elaborate on God's might "that He worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" (v20-21).  Finally, Paul wraps the chapter by describing how God reigns over all, including the church, which is described as "his body, the fullness of him who fills in all."  Of course, again, these are words all believers should take to heart and in so doing be encouraged and act boldly (supernaturally with Christ working through us) in light this encouragement. All of this should be understood in the context of where Paul is when he writes this letter - he is in prison in Rome!  Encouragement indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who adopted me as a child of God and in so doing blesses me with an incredible inheritance that cannot be taken from me. 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.  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 counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose[.]

Isaiah 46

...My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose[.] Isaiah 46:10

Tonight, after a long day of driving, I long for time with God and find rest in DesiringGod.com's daily devotion - authored by John Piper, which is aptly titled Two Infinitely Strong and Tender Truths.  First, Piper declares God's sovereignty or providence over all aspects of the universe - now and always. He is in control, including all matters big and small in my life and in all who have and will forevermore inhabit the universe. Piper then declares this is a good thing because God promises throughout scripture, and Piper provides several examples, that those who trust in Him will find favor and blessing in His hand in our life. First, He is able and second He promises good for us - and we can rest in the 2nd because of the 1st.  Thank You Jesus!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God that I can trust and I have seen Your hand in my life and in the lives of others close to me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessing.  I continue to sin...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 nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts....Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Leviticus 10

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts....Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:6, 8-10

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter ten - Our Response to God's Holiness - covering Leviticus 10:1-20, looking specifically at the theme - God's People Affirm God as the Powerful Ruler.  Here, the commentary focuses on how God reigns over all aspects of not just our lives, but over all aspects of what is happening in the universe. The commentary looks at Nadab and Abihu's "unauthorized" worship and emphasizes how regardless of any human efforts to assert control or rule over God, He "overrules." We are to see this as good news, something that provides believers peace.  We are referred to Psalm 46:6, 8-10 where the psalmist (of the sons of Korah) exhorts us to be at peace knowing that God is in control.  An additional scriptural reference that describes the extent of God's reign:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20

A memorable Bible moment is when Pharoah lets the Israelites leave Egypt, but he then changes his mind, pursuing the Israelites into the wilderness.  The Egyptian army pins the Israelites against the shores of the Red Sea, but Moses urges the people to be still and to trust in God:

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14

God understands the chaos that exists in our lives - yet we can take comfort that He is in control and He reigns.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who reigns over all aspects of my life - and You provide, protect, encourage, heal, etc.  You are my All in All!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You do of all this.  I worry, and I struggle.  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.

His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

Chapter 1: Pages 31-39

His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him. Daniel 7:27

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and read chapter one, where Piper defines divine providence (as a noun) as "the act of of purposefully providing for, or sustaining and governing the world." Piper leans on the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Westminster Larger Catechism, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and Charles Spurgeon to more fully explore and land on an adequate definition, and Spurgeon specifically, to contrast providence from fate (which some may claim as meaningless).  Fate is described as blind but providence is not as according to Spurgeon "everything in this world is working for one great end." It is also "for the good of the chosen people of God" and for His glory.  "If anything would go wrong, God puts it right; and if there is anything that would awry, [H]e puts [H]is hand and alters it." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed in control for both my good and Your glory - I am blessed that You have adopted me into Your family - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such goodness as my cup runeth over. My sin - worry and other sins - 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.

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

John 11

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. John 11:49:-53

Day 310 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning focusing on how Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and the opposition this act raises from the Jewish leaders. My commentary notes: "[t]his, of course, is such a dramatic and conclusive demonstration of Jesus’ power that his opponents call a hasty conference and immediately plot to kill him."

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

What is remarkable about the scripture this morning is how God spoke through Caiaphas to deliver substitution of Jesus (His death on the cross as atonement for all sins for all humanity) - which John Piper refers to as "the heart of the Christian faith". God works and is sovereign over all, including death and those who oppose Him. As we experience Advent and then Christmas, we must also reflect on what God has done for us as the greatest gift of all time.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You sent Your Son to die for me...personally....knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this gift.  My sin is great and it continues, including worry, gossip, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept Jesus 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.

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

Genesis 20-21

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6

Day 8 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Abraham's deception of Abimelek and the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael.

With his lie to Abimelek that Sarah is his sister, once again Abraham displays what my commentary* indicates as a "tendency toward deception" which represents the "same character flaw [that] will be seen again in his son and grandsons. It simply stands as a warning that even men and women of faith can lapse into great sin".

The commentary* goes on to state that "if there is any encouragement, however, it is in knowing that while there is bad in the best of mankind, there is also good in the worst. As a Canaanite, Abimelek is not a believer in the true God, and undoubtedly engages in common heathen practices. Yet he asserts in his defense to God that he has acted in good conscience, even if he is somehow still guilty in God’s eyes; then he responds to divine rebuke with repentance, generosity, and kindness".

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

We should take comfort in knowing how God uses ordinary people such as Abraham and ourselves, as He redeems our sin and uses it for His glory - doing amazing things in the process. 

I am also comforted by John Piper's post on God's providence and sovereignty by both restraining Satan and evil AND prompting good.  He is in control.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You ARE in control restraining evil and prompting good - You redeem my sin and have saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such love and blessings.  I worry and am often very difficult with others.  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 Your 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.

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Revelation 19

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.  He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Revelation 19:1-2

Session #10 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 19.

Jesus arrives! The battle is over!  This is where all of eternity is headed.

• Core message of this chapter: man centered worldliness will ultimately be overcome by God-centered worship - 19:10.
• God orchestrates all of history to display His glory v1, 3, 4, 6 - only time in NT when Hallelujah is mentioned.
• Goal to which all history is headed is glory of God.
• God ordains all of His people to enjoy His glory - our deepest satisfaction/delight/joy is found not in this world but in God.
• Bow before the splendor of God the Father; He is victorious/glorious/omnipotent/just/eternal/mighty (almighty mentioned 9 times)/sovereign - 7:10, 12:10, 19:2, Psalm 149:1-6, Revelation 6:9-11; do not play around with the justice of God
• Behold the supremacy of Christ the Son 19:11-16 (not on a donkey but a war horse), faithful and true, righteous, Messianic warrior 9:15, sees everything; many crowns on His head (Revelation 12, 13 show Satan playing king but this is to seduce us - but this is NOT so), much mystery to His name 19:12, He conquers God's enemy (see also Isaiah 63), He ends the history of this world (but there is not battle!), He rules the nations of this world 19:15, brings God's wrath upon this world - upon sinful men and women, Satanic agents and ambassadors! (19:17-21), He is the King of kings and Lord of lords 19:16
• Let's revere Him 19:5! No room for casual worship!
• Let's rejoice Him 19:7-8
• Let's be ready for His coming! Walk by faith by Him! Remain faithful despite persecution, by enduring, obeying, completing mission, etc. and work by grace from Him (Philippians 2); we live surrounded by adulterous Babylon - walk in righteousness only by the grace of God
• 19:14 Jesus returns and He is not alone - we know from all of the NT that He is coming back to participate in His reign forever - let's by ready!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from eternal damnation - You are King of kings and Lord of Lords!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin is 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.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

Ecclesiastes 7

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. v14

As I sit here this morning waiting on news about a potential job offer, I must reflect on how God is in control and how He provides and that I should not worry.  I've done the best I could with the job interview process and I hope that I have glorified God through the process.  We should plan in concert with God's desires for our lives but we must acknowledge God's sovereignty over all things - including our lives.  

The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. Psalm 94:11

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

If we focus on renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) we can best understand God's will for our lives and direct ourselves using God as a lamp for our feet:

 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

 

And I should not worry (Matthew 6:25-34).

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

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Job 12

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. v13

In the midst of suffering, it is difficult to see how God is working and what He is up to.  Yet Job understands that despite his anguish, God remains sovereign.  Though we can draw close to God and learn more about Him and His attributes, we will never fully fathom Him.

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

God is always at work and in control.

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

 
We can take comfort that God works for His glory and our good.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:26-28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You are in control and that You are working for my good - I don't know what You have in store for me but I know that You love me and that You will never stop loving me and You will never leave me.  Thank You Jesus.  I would be lost without You.  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me Jesus.  I worry and am harsh with my words and actions.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job 1

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. v22

We all know the story of Job, and there are many lessons we can draw from Job.  This overview of Job provides a good starting point.

Right away we see Job losing nearly everything...except his wife.  Yet Job does not curse God nor does he question God's existence, His sovereignty, or His goodness.

On the contrary, Job PRAISES God:

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. v21

Job's praise is based on the belief that God provides for all things, we are simply stewards of what He provides, and He is in control and can take away everything, and even in our want we should recognize that God is good and our circumstances are for His glory and our good.  

Easier said than done - but we do have ample scripture to remind us to look at our circumstances and how God views our suffering.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 

 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

 

See also posts on suffering.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is able to provide for all of my needs and cleanse of me my sins.  Thank You Jesus - I would be lost without You!  I am not worth such love because I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

Psalm 74

It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. v13

In the midst of difficulty we must pause and reflect on God's role. He is in control.  We must also recognize that God is good and that everything He does is for His glory and our good.

In spite of the circumstances, the author* reminds himself of God's sovereignty and His goodness.

It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
    and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
    you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
    you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
    you made both summer and winter. v14-17

We must seek God in everything and be mindful that God works in mysterious ways (Isaiah 55:8) and in all things for our good and His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Today did not start off on a particularly easy note...Thank You Jesus for providing light.

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 21931-21932). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - able to do all things and totally in control.  I know You love me...and You chose me, knowing everything about me.  You also suffered and died for me - without a shadow of doubt the greatest gift of all time!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and such a gift.  I get angry far too quickly and I continue to be harsh with my words.  Forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin....and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.